The push for Medicare cuts is no secret, and certainly a controversial political problem, but we’re not looking for a debate on what’s going on in Washington right now. We’re looking for solutions for seniors.
Our only concern, of course, is the welfare of our aging citizens and the quality of their health care. Beyond the practical aspects of this problem is the inevitable emotional and psychological fallout that would make seniors think twice about using medical services, certainly to the point of foregoing treatments and avoiding doctors as they will likely be concerned about the costs.
Unfortunately, as the current strategy to expand healthcare to all Americans now looms ahead, there is the painfully frightening reality that seniors could very easily be hardest hit, compromising their own health care in order to support younger uninsured or underinsured Americans. The plan seeks to fund this change by chopping $316 billion from Medicare and Medicaid.
With great opposition to many of the budget reforms that will soon reach Congress.
Douglas Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, gave testimony on other ways that Congress could lessen the sacrifice seniors would have to suffer at such a tender and vulnerable time in their lives. Elmendorf was particularly sensitive to the fact that these cuts would occur at a time when a disproportionate amount of their income is dedicated to health care.
Certainly this is a “necessary evil” notion, thoroughly sketched out, and one that must be turned around by concerned citizens and our lawmakers, many of whom recognize the inequity of the budget cut proposals as well as the disrespect and disservice that is being visited upon the ever-growing senior population. Elmendorf also explored the repercussions of many current medigap restrictions that would further erode the Medicare and Medicaid support for which seniors are now being put in the untenable position of having to fight.
Ask Daniel O’Connell, Chairman of The Senior Citizens League, about how these proposals would prevent seniors from receiving the full supplemental coverage for their Medicare co-insurance. His response? Short but not very sweet. “People rely on their Medicare supplements to protect their retirement incomes from being obliterated by healthcare costs.”
The Senior Citizens League is urging Medicare beneficiaries and their loved ones to remain informed about the proposals to expand healthcare that could strongly negatively impact their Medicare costs.
The very best way for seniors to do that is the simple, grass-roots method. You and the seniors in your life must contact your Congressmen and Congresswomen and tell them exactly how much you (and those seniors you love) are obligated to spend on healthcare and how crucial supplemental coverage is to keeping you covered and protected. The Senior Citizens League offers a free online newsletter that will keep everyone up-to-date on Medicare and Social Security: To receive it, go to www.SeniorsLeague.org.
North Carolina’s Congressman Larry Kissell wrote a compelling letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. His words are insightful and resonant to all of us, and here are a few excerpts: “I believe it is crucial that comprehensive health care reform not include cuts in home health care services…instead it must use Medicare and Medicaid funding wisely to allow more access to home health care with a focus on wellness and independent living. If we seek true reform, we should apply common sense and compassion by letting home health care providers continue to offer vital services to senior citizens while remaining an important part of the economy of countless communities. There is no accomplishment in health care reform which punishes the competent while ignoring the needs of the sick and aging. ”
As Kissell understands, add to the most crucial aspect of the crisis – preserving optimal care for the chronically ill and elderly—the financial damage that will be suffered by the ultimate loss of income for the caregivers and those who employ them. Of course, it is a circular problem, as the quality of patient care will be terribly affected. To extract and reexamine another point in Kissell’s letter to Pelosi, if the cuts are not prevented, the lack of compassion will be as devastating as the loss of a practical, cost effective way to care for our aging citizens.
Kissell also writes: “In treating patients with chronic diseases, an estimated $30 billion can be saved by expanding access to home health care. Home health care professionals keep senior citizens healthier while allowing them to stay in their homes; and they do it for far cheaper than do the alternative treatments. Again, it makes no sense to force out of business through government meddling, people who do good work, save the overall health care system billions of dollars and create jobs.”
You can help stop Congress from drastically reducing Medicare reimbursement for home health services to the chronically sick and elderly. Your signature can truly help make a difference! Please sign the petition online to stop the cuts to Medicare today. Just visit this link and let your voice be heard to preserve the quality of life and healthcare our seniors so greatly deserve. Click over to: www.Wecansavehomehealth.com .
A Word from Access Nursing 