AARP wants to thank Rep. Tim Walz for his vote in favor of better health care for every Minnesotan.

Since the latest debate over comprehensive health care reform began more than two years ago, AARP has been fighting to protect Medicare for seniors and future generations, and fighting for stable, affordable health care options for all Americans.

With the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) we can say with confidence that these bills meet the critical needs of older Americans and future generations.

For the more than 45 million Americans in Medicare — 698,000 in Minnesota alone — the House plan makes prescription drugs more affordable by completely closing the dangerous gap in prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, and by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs. It adds preventive benefits like free cancer screenings, cracks down on waste and fraud, and protects traditional Medicare benefits.

For all Americans — including our younger members who often struggle to find affordable insurance (an estimated 56,000 Minnesotans between age 50 and 64 are uninsured) — the House plan makes coverage more affordable by strictly limiting how much more insurance companies can charge based on age.

Americans will also no longer be denied coverage because of their health history or discriminated against because of gender, and those who cannot afford insurance will receive help to purchase affordable coverage.

Finally, the House plan begins to repair the country’s outdated system of long-term care by providing benefits to seniors and people with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes, in their own communities.

While AARP is pleased to see this important step forward, we know the fight isn’t over. We’re going to keep working with Rep. Walz and other members of the House and Senate to ensure any final health care reform bill meets the needs of older Americans.

Michele H. Kimball

state director

AARP Minnesota

St. Paul