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Industry Articles Home > Improving Quality of life for Seniors News

Some seniors wary about healthcare reform
2010-04-12

Many older people are not supportive of the recent healthcare reform bill, lawmakers concede.

In an Associated Press article two weeks ago, Connecticut senator Chris Dodd said seniors "are probably the least-open to seeing the benefits" of reform.

People covered by Medicare Advantage - private insurance plans paid for by the government - may have a right to be upset. The government is cutting back on the payments it makes to private insurers for Medicare Advantage. Over time, Advantage users' benefits will disappear.

But that measure alone will trim $132 billion from Medicare spending.

And other provisions will improve the quality of care that older people receive. The much-maligned Medicare Part D donut hole is being closed over the next 10 years; this year, people in the hole will receive a $250 check to help them pay for prescription drugs.

Medicare beneficiaries will also receive better preventive care thanks to the reform bill. In addition, the bill authorizes research into the treatment of multiple chronic illnesses; the AP notes that half of older people suffer from multiple diseases.

On balance, it appears that Medicare beneficiaries stand to benefit from the reforms. They may have to be patient, though: Reform will begin taking effect gradually.
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