LETTER: Affordable Care Act helps seniors

To the Telegram:

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, which found the critically important provisions of the Affordable Care Act to be constitutional, Wisconsinites 50 and older will see more and more benefits at the doctor’s office and in their pocketbooks.

The act is already improving the health and financial security of our members in Wisconsin and across the country. One example to highlight is savings in prescription drug expenses for Medicare beneficiaries.

Since the legislation was enacted in 2010, more than 64,000 Wisconsin seniors on Medicare have saved over $65 million in prescription drug costs. Nationally, 5.3 million people with Medicare Part D have saved $3.7 billion since 2010.

The act also expands the number of people eligible for free preventive and wellness benefits. In 2011, nearly 650,000 people with Medicare in Wisconsin received free preventative services — such as mammograms and colonoscopies — or a free annual wellness visit with their doctor.

In the first five months of 2012, another 232,000 folks received free preventative care.

For those not yet eligible for Medicare, the act will be instrumental in eliminating discriminatory health insurance practices such as exclusions based on pre-existing conditions, and in limiting use of age rating to charge exorbitant premiums for older Americans.

Ever since the health care reform debate began, AARP has been focused on strengthening Medicare and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable coverage, particularly for Americans age 50 to 64 that have faced unaffordable insurance in the individual market because of age, pre-existing conditions or health status. Equally important has been our efforts to assist Wisconsinites in navigating how the law will impact them and their families.

With over 810,000 AARP members in Wisconsin, we know first-hand the heart-breaking stories and challenges people face in managing their health care needs and the cost of that care for families. AARP developed the AARP Health Law Guide, www.aarp.org/healthlawguide, specifically to help individuals understand the act and its benefits now and in the future.

With this and other resources, Wisconsinites can know what this landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court means for their own health care, and that of their loved ones, in the years to come.

Sam Wilson

state director,

AARP Wisconsin

Tags: opinion, letters