Medicare, Health Care and You events near you!

 

Between June 1-29, AARP is hosting Medicare Health Care and You!  meetings to learn about some of the challenges facing health care reform and get information about different proposals being discussed in Washington. The sessions are also an opportunity for Iowans to voice their concerns about the future of health care and Medicare, and learn how to get involved in advocacy efforts to strengthen health care coverage for older Iowans. The events are all free and open to AARP members and the general public and include lunch and refreshments.

Advance registration is required by calling 1-877-926-8300 or by registering on line at the links below:

Mason City- June 1: Historic Park Inn, register  here.

Sioux City – June 14: Holiday Inn Downtown, register  here.

Council Bluffs – June 15: Council Bluffs Library, Room B, register  here.

Des Moines – June 21: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, register  here.

Cedar Rapids – June 22: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, register  here.

Waterloo/Cedar Falls – June 27: Clarion Inn, register  here.

Dubuque – June 28: Dubuque Grand River Center, register  here.

Davenport – June 29: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Davenport, register  here.

On May 4, the American Health Care Act passed the House of Representatives with a 217 – 213 split in favor of the legislation. AARP is opposed to this special interest health care bill. Current versions of the bill propose an age tax that could cost Iowans more than $13,000 more annually for the same amount of coverage. Additionally, the bill weakens Medicare and removes protects for Americans with preexisting conditions. Twenty-five million Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 have a pre-existing condition, like cancer, heart disease, or high blood pressure.  More than 200,000 of them live in Iowa.

The forums are part of AARP’s nationwide and statewide Fighting for Your Health campaign. This campaign is focused on stressing the importance of protecting Medicare and creating health care legislation that treats older Americans fairly.

If the American Health Care Act went into effect today it would:

• Dramatically increase costs for older Americans and institute an age tax, which could leave you paying $13,000 more per year for your same health care.
• Weaken Medicare, and open the door to benefit cuts and costly vouchers.
• Remove protections for people with preexisting conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
• Cut $839 billion from Medicaid, slashing a crucial lifeline that disabled children and poor seniors rely on.

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