EDITOR:

After listening closely to what our members have told us they need from health care reform, AARP has decided to support the bill in Congress that meets those needs.

AARP has endorsed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961), which reflect the key priorities our members want and which AARP has been fighting to achieve. It protects and strengthens Medicare, reduces out of pocket prescription drug costs by closing the dreaded Part D "doughnut hole," and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and covers some preventive care free of charge. It stops insurance companies from denying affordable coverage because of age or health, and limits how much insurance companies can make people pay out-of-pocket.

For those who have no insurance or cannot afford it, this bill offers affordable health insurance options. Seniors and people with disabilities will be offered benefits that make it easier for them to live in their own homes and communities.

All of these provisions as well as other parts of the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961) will mean better health care for our members and their families.

When Congress took up the health care debate earlier this year, it was not at all clear a bill would emerge that delivers on these key priorities. Now that has happened. No more excuses let's finally fix our broken health care system.

Jimmy and Sally Bruce

AARP volunteers