Transcript Financial Security Portfolio Review Highlights - GFOA-WMA

Health Care Reform
Government Finance Officers Association
David Sloane
Senior Vice President
Government Relations & Advocacy
AARP
November 20, 2009
About AARP
About AARP
 Founded in 1958, AARP is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization that helps people 50
and over improve the quality of
their lives.
 Offices in all 50 states, DC, Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 Advocate for 50+ population.
 Change in AARP leadership from
Bill Novelli to Barry Rand in 2009.
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Our Members Care About …
 Health care
 Housing
 Economic security
 Transportation
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Politics of Health Reform
History
Repeated attempts to strengthen healthcare in America
 100 years in the making
 Some success (Medicare) and many failures (1994)
 Priority since day one of Obama administration
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Health Reform in 2009
Increase affordable
and accessible care
Improve system delivery
(chronic care coordination)
Prevent discrimination
Invest in infrastructure
(Health IT)
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2009 versus 1994
White House
 Bill on President's desk by
end of year
 $900 billion price limit
 Legislating left to Congress
 Stakeholders at the table
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Key Stakeholders
PhRMA
PROVIDERS/
DOCTORS
BUSINESS
INSURERS
UNIONS
CONSUMERS/
PATIENTS
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Process
 Both Chambers tasked with creating and voting on a bill:
– 3 committees in the House
– 2 committees in the Senate
 House and Senate merge bills through conference
 Final bill signed by the President
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State of Play
 Senate & House
completed committee work
 House passed a health
reform bill, 220-215
 Senate has not begun
debate on bill (next week?)
 Bill by Christmas unlikely
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Public Mood
 More support than oppose reform
 Support split down party lines
 Women and independent voters are key
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Controversial Issues
 Public plan
 Abortion and immigration
 Financing options
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AARP and Health Reform
History
 NRTA & AARP founded to
provide health insurance to
teachers and older adults.
 Medicare & Medicaid
 Medicare Rx
 Social Security
Ethel Percy Andrus
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Divided We Fail
 Helped to put health care &
financial security to the top of the
agenda during election & secure
commitment to action in 2009
 Appeal to center and
bipartisanship
 Strange bedfellows
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AARP Priorities for Health Reform
 Increase affordability for
50-64
 Protect traditional
Medicare for 65+
 Lower out of pocket
prescription drug costs
and improve Medicare
benefits
 Improve long-term care
 Help low income 50+
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AARP 2009 Campaign
 1.3+ million petitions
 147k+ calls to Congress
 70k+ personal stories
 455 townhalls and 150
teletownhalls
 Endorsed House bill 3962
(as did AMA, AHA, Cancer,
Heart & Consumers Union)
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Learn More
healthactionnow.org
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