Letters to the Editor April 2

Many benefits for seniors in health reform

Regarding the Associated Press story, "Seniors wary of health overhaul impact on Medicare," which ran April 1 in the Nevada Appeal: People are naturally worried about what these changes mean to them; however, the author failed to report on several of the benefits that would ease those concerns.

The new law will immediately help seniors who are paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for medications because they've fallen into the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole." This year, Nevadans in the coverage gap will get a $250 rebate. Next year, they will get a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs. Within 10 years, the coverage gap will be completely eliminated.

Out-of-pocket costs for prevention are also going to go down for Medicare beneficiaries. Starting next year, seniors can get free annual wellness check-ups, along with important preventive services, such as screenings for cancer and diabetes.

The new law also takes steps to keep doctors' doors open for Medicare patients. Physicians will get bonus payments for primary care, a little-noticed strategy to promote access for seniors.

It is important to note what is not changing. The law explicitly prohibits any cuts to seniors' guaranteed Medicare benefits.

It's vitally important to understand how the new law might affect you. AARP has a wealth of information available. Visit our website at www.aarp.org/getthefacts to learn more.

Carla Sloan

director AARP Nevada State Office

Las Vegas

Washington GOP behaving like spoiled brats

Republican representatives in Washington, D.C. are acting like spoiled children who didn't get their way and are shouting and throwing tantrums over the health care bill. Even John McCain, who I used to respect, has threatened to take the rest of the year off and refuse to do the work his constituents elected him to do.

The health care bill is certainly not everything that we had hoped for, such as the public option. Some of the Republican suggestions were good and are included in the bill, but then the party of no voted against what they themselves suggested.

Lies, innuendo, insults and the age-old fear tactics have fooled a lot of people into believing them. It seems they can't resist favoring the insurance companies and others who pay them so generously over their constituents at home. Sadly, the lies and smokescreens actually seem to be winning the support of those they deceive.

The Republican Congress showed no interest in a health care plan during their majority, but they did provide tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The first was in 2001 which increased the deficit by

$1.3 trillion. In 2003 there was another tax cut with a deficit of $349 billion. Then there was the Medicare Part D bill, written by the drug companies, for another deficit of $394 billion.

All of this plus the huge cost in dollars and lives for the unnecessary war in Iraq. I think we're getting the picture now.

Barbara Watson

Carson City