Legislation could reduce health costs

According to an AARP news release, Congress is working to stop a drastic payment cut to Medicare physicians – a cut that could push even more doctors out of Medicare and make it harder for older Americans to find a physician.

Preserving access to doctors is critical, but AARP officials say lawmakers also must ensure the costs aren’t paid by people in Medicare with higher premiums.

“We have already seen Medicare premiums double since 2000, making it more difficult for older Americans – especially those on fixed incomes – to afford their health care,” said AARP Director of Government Relations David Sloane in a news release. “As we work to ensure people in Medicare can continue to see their own doctors, we also must ensure they can still afford their premiums. Access means little to those who can’t afford it.”

Instead of raising out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries, legislation supported by AARP this summer would reduce excess payments to private insurance plans in Medicare, which cost the government billions of dollars each year.

“When the government opened Medicare to private plans, the insurance companies promised their efficiency could provide members with more benefits for less than the cost of Medicare,” Sloane added. “Now we’re paying them too much, and it’s driving up costs for taxpayers and all people in Medicare.”

AARP represents the interests of people who are age 50 and older. The organization is working with the American Medical Association to encourage Congress to preserve people’s access to Medicare doctors without raising premiums.