Ellsworth to host Tele-town Hall for seniors

Monday, October 19, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- AARP Indiana will host a live Tele-town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth and thousands of AARP members from Ellsworth's congressional district.

The live telephone event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT will allow AARP members to hear directly from Ellsworth about federal health reform legislation and ask him questions about health policy. June Lyle, AARP Indiana state director, will host the event and present AARP's principles for health reform.

AARP believes that America's health care system costs too much, delivers too little and exposes too many Americans to unacceptable health and financial risks. Reform must ensure that all Americans have their choice of quality, affordable health care options. Reform must close the prescription drug donut hole, strengthen Medicare for current and future generations, and ensure that no one is denied coverage on the basis of age or pre-existing conditions.

"AARP Indiana welcomes Congressman Ellsworth to this crucial conversation with our members," Lyle said. "America's skyrocketing health care costs are unsustainable for all of us. Americans need comprehensive health reform this year and AARP anticipates working closely with Congressman Ellsworth to achieve that outcome."

For more information about AARP's stance on health reform, please visit the Health Action Now Web site, www.healthactionnow.org.

AARP Indiana represents 876,000 Hoosiers, including 98,000 in the 8th congressional district.

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  • Benedick. Please explain how a public option would save me money?

    -- Posted by JC-INC on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 12:38 PM
  • Why are we so anxious to accept medical insurance from the folks who bring us the post office (those stamps are certainly getting cheaper and the post office is more efficient, right?), the social security system (they keep moving the bankrupt date closer), the medicare system (which was supposed to cost $2 billion back when it was enacted) and expect anything better?

    The fact that all proposals will force people to conform to what a government says is acceptable coverage or pay a penalty if they don't buy should be reason enough to reject. After all, what happened to freedom of choice? I think it was swallowed in the irony that a woman's body is her own but it isn't when we force her to buy a plan or tax or fine (according to the Senate "outline") her if she doesn't.

    Then let's throw in the fact that the plan doesn't take effect until 1013, but the taxes start immediately.

    It will not save anyone money or improve health care (even proponents are not claiming that) or create more doctors or reduce regulatory burden, billing and paperwork. It will just cost more for less quality.

    And doesn't it bother anyone else that the IRS is charged with enforcing the monetary portions of this proposal? Or that we don't get time to read it (because the final one isn't even written yet?)

    Well it bothers me that 'big brother' will now take care of me and have my best interests at heart -- whether I want it that way or not.

    And oh, by the way, someone please ask the Congressman why Congress is exempting itself from this bill, if it's so good for everyone.

    A free lunch, after all, is never really free.

    -- Posted by whatsup on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 3:13 PM
  • I totally agree with "whatsup". enough is enough! If they could only fix what they have been running until now, then I might agree with what they want to do. I truly believe that the government will make it worse than it is now. Change the policy and allow insurance companies to cover people all over the United States and alot of this mess will be naturally fixed. Is this what they call "tort reform" not good with terminology but I understand what things mean.

    -- Posted by barb4him2 on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 4:40 PM
  • Agreed with "whatsup". I hoped to give "Benedick" time to try to explain how it would save me money. I guess that will not happen. Maybe "Benedick" can name one government program that "saves" money. Ready. Set. Go!

    -- Posted by JC-INC on Tue, Oct 20, 2009, at 3:19 PM
  • Dan Stockton for Congress!!!! Want to know where Dan stands on the issues go to www.stocktonforcongress.com or send an email to us at stocktonforcongress@yahoo.com

    -- Posted by Heritage Lake Resident on Wed, Oct 21, 2009, at 9:41 AM
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