Posted on 08/04/2009 7:33:52 PM PDT by US_MilitaryRules
Don't Let the Myths About Health Care Reform Scare You.
There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.
All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.
Throughout the debate on how to fix what's broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family. When we see special interests using scare tactics, we'll make sure you're given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform.
The following are some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong. Myth: Health care reform is socialized medicine.
Fact: Health care reform will preserve the employer-based health care system, meaning an estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their coverage through their employers.
Fact: For people buying coverage for themselves, there would be a range of private health plans to choose from. Also, the so-called "public plan" option would seek to give American consumers another choice if they can't find affordable, quality coverage in the private insurance market. The goal of the "public plan" is to give consumers the best value for their money and force greater competition among insurance plans for our business.
Fact: Every proposal that Congress is considering would allow people to choose their own doctors and hospitals.
Bottom Line: Health care reform isn't about a government takeover. It's about guaranteeing all Americans a choice of health care plans they can afford.
Myth: Health care reform means rationed care.
Fact: None of the health reform proposals being considered would stand between individuals and their doctors or prevent any American from choosing the best possible care.
Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by an individual, their doctor and their family.
Fact: Health care reform will help ensure doctors are paid fairly so they will continue to treat Medicare patients.
Bottom Line: Health reform isn't about rationing; it's about giving people the peace of mind of knowing that they will be able to keep their doctors and that they will always have a choice of affordable health plans.
Myth: Health care reform will hurt Medicare.
Fact: None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.
Fact: Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole" so they can get better afford the drugs they need.
Fact: Health care reform will protect seniors' access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier.
Fact: Health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.
Fact: Rather than weaken Medicare, health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.
Bottom Line: For people in Medicare, health care reform is about lowering prescription drug costs for people in the "doughnut hole", keeping the doctor of your choice, improving the quality of care, and eliminating billions in waste that is causing poor care and medical errors.
Myth: Health care reform is too expensive – we can't afford it.
Fact: The President and Congress have committed to producing legislation that will be paid for so it won't saddle our children and grandchildren with debt.
Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, families with Medicare or employer-based health coverage will likely see their premiums nearly double again in the next seven years.
Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, the share of your income spent on health care will nearly double in the next seven years.
Bottom Line: When one in three Americans say someone in their family skipped pills, postponed or cut back on needed medical care due to the cost; when countless bankruptcies are related to medical expenses; when the number of uninsured approaches 50 million; when government spending on health programs rises so rapidly that it jeopardizes other priorities; and when employers struggle to pay for the costs of health care, the fact is, we can't afford not to fix health care.
Myth: Health care reform means the government can make life-and-death decisions for you.
Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life-and-death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by individuals, their doctor and their family.
Fact: No one, including the government or your insurance company, will be given power to make life-and-death decisions for you.
Bottom Line: Health care reform isn't about putting the government in charge of difficult end of life decisions. It's about giving individuals and families the option to talk with their doctors in advance about difficult choices every family faces when loved ones near the end of their lives.
Help us fight the myths and demand health action now:
Fact: I will never join the AARP.
Funny, I always thought that I had the right to talk with my doctor.
Ditto.
After seeing that guy on Glenn Beck today and reading this, I’m convinced that these people (including Obama) have NOT read the legislation. The AARP guy on GB this afternoon kept saying they wouldn’t support any legislation that had any rationing in it.
I’m also convinced that these people are so used to lying to cover up their complicity in crimes, cover-ups and corruption they don’t even know what the truth is. The truth is that AARP gets 10% of its budget from the Federal government and they don’t want to lose it. Period.
Did Beck actually quote, line by line, from the bill?
BTW: I love how they refute the “reform” as socialized medicine but don’t directly dispute it. That’s because whenever you ask a lib what socialism is they claim it is anything but what they believe even if their views match millions of admitted socialists around the world.
..The government will audit your books if you self-insure.
The newly created Commissioner will submit a report to the government that includes "any recommendation the Commissioner deems appropriate to ensure that the law DOES NOT PROVIDE incentives for small and mid-size employers to self-insure." (21.23-23.3)
This is just one of 17 provisions that WORLD has summarized and posted to its website, www.worldmag.com, found under Washington's Prescription, The Editors, Healthcare.
Excellent material for information and hand-out. This is an absolute outrage.
Others: The government will define your "health benefits" ... will ration your care ... will establish and administer a public health insurance program ... will define how doctors manage their time ... will tax employers for not providing healthcare ... will tax individuals unless you are a foreign resident ... will order you to get end-of-life counseling and show proof ... will limit your hospital readmissions by penalizing hospitals ... will restrict coverage of special needs patients ... will not let you sue over coverage limits and costs decisions ... will mandate what physicians make ... will have access to your bank accounts ... will not call the fees it imposes taxes ... will issue you a health ID card ... will enlist or create outreach programs like ACORN to sign-up individuals in government-run plan; will create a new bureaucracy to include phone healthcare. References with page numbers and line items are given each provision.
These AARP Weasels should ride along with the RAT politicians to help explain how cutting money from Medicare is going to make it better.
Bump and thanks to all for the info. Keep it coming.
AARP is leftist and supports abortion.
No time, but it was clear the guy has not read one line of the bill and was simply spewing Obamapoints.
Nobody would expect their team to have to play against someone who writes the rule book and calls the fouls. How long before the other teams decide they just can't compete when all of their plays are ruled illegal and they are called on things their opponent never gets called on.
If you think it's not fair now, just wait until the government starts to play rough. Sure you can keep your doctor, as long as he agrees to play for the government team.
Remember, you get what you pay for. If the taxpayer is forced to pay for it the price will go up while the quality goes down.
AARP is a hopelessly RAT-infested organization. There is no point trying to talk sense to the leftoids who run the place.
Besides, the brass is salivating at the prospect of making money on health care deform.
Look at most any print media these days and you’ll see the same thing; the editor and the majority of the staff are women. Women voted overwhelmingly for Obama and women vote primarily for Democrats, always falling for the schmaltz about “we’ll take care of the kids for you.” Yeah, like aborting them.
These are witting or unwitting propagandists, working for their master at no charge.
Good to see the AARP is still a non-partisan organization. :)
Now we can move on to exposing those damn town hall protesters for the partisan groups they are...
Why would you even post those lies here? THOSE are the talking points that the Obots are using all over the internet and they are all BULLSH*T!
One slogan that we could employ is similar to what the pro-abortion loons have told us since 1973 - It’s my body, and the government needs to keep their hands off it!
AARP appears infiltrated by ACORN organization. AARP has gone into the insurance business, every kind imaginable. So that is why they sold out elderly members...they won’t need them once zero has ruined insurance companies.
SSSHHHEEESSS!!!!! Testy are we? What you think I support this crap? I got this in an email stating that there is nothing to fear! AARP is here to protect you! ROTFLMAO at the BS.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.