AARP The Magazine - March/April 2010

DEAR JENNIE

The fight for health care reform has been central during my term as AARP President, and it is timely that as my last column is written, a final version of health care legislation is taking shape. President-Elect W. Lee Hammond, who takes office in May, will continue to work for quality, affordable health care for all generations. We both recognize that the legislation before Congress is a historic leap forward in the struggle to reform our nation’s health care system, providing many much-needed improvements.

These include closing the coverage gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage (the“doughnut hole”), to lower drug costs and provide peace of mind to millions of seniors; making Medicare more financially sound, so its benefits are there for our children and grandchildren; providing free preventive services, like check-ups and screenings for conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes; and helping you prepare for any long-term-care needs and remain independent in your own home as you grow older or face a moderate disability.

If, as we anticipate, Congress passes a bill AARP can support, our fight for quality, affordable health care for all Americans will not end with the White House signing ceremony. Our focus will shift to government regulators, insurance companies, health care providers, and—importantly—individuals, so we all understand and carry out the roles we must play to implement reforms successfully. And AARP will monitor what is working, and fight to fix what isn’t.

AARP is committed to reaching our
goal of an America where never again
will anyone live in fear of not being able
to afford decent medical care for them-
selves or their family. An America where
never again will anyone be forced into
bankruptcy because of high medical
expenses, where never again will anyone
have to choose between buying food
and prescription drugs, and where never
again will anyone be denied affordable
insurance coverage because of their age
or a preexisting condition.

AARP Board

PRESIDEN T Jennie Chin Hansen

PRESIDEN T-ELEC T W. Lee Hammond

BOARD CHAIR Bonnie M. Cramer

BOARD VICE-CHAIR F. John Zarlengo

SECRE TARY/ TREASURER Robert Romasco

CLASS OF 2010 Yash Aggarwal, Cora L. Christian, Bonnie M. Cramer, Joanne Handy, Richard Johnson, N. Joyce Payne, Thomas “Byron” Thames

CLASS OF 2012 Leobardo Estrada, William J. Hall, Mara Mayor, Maeona Mendelson, Robert Romasco, George Rowan, F. John Zarlengo

CLASS OF 2014 Gail E. Aldrich, Allen
Douma, A. James Forbes Jr., Hubert
H. Humphrey III, Jacob Lozada,
J. David Nelson, Charles E. Reed

W. Lee Hammond becomes AARP President on May 5 as Jennie Chin Hansen completes her two-year term. On the Board since 2002, Lee brings to his new role a background in education and community service: he is a former teacher and school administrator and is a founder of the Maryland Intergenerational Coalition. You can send questions to Ask Lee@aarp.org. Changing Presidents