Health care reform is critical in West Virginia as our population ages.  That’s why AARP is calling on Congress to guarantee you a choice of dependable, affordable health insurance plans and preserve your choice of doctors who can work with you to make the best possible health care decisions for you and your family.

AARP believes health care is not a Democratic or Republican issue.  And it’s not about political gamesmanship.  It’s about people’s lives.  That’s why we believe health care reform must fix what’s wrong and preserve what’s right. 

Unfortunately, naysayers are trying to scare you with myths about health reform — myths they believe will help them stop changes to our current system — for all kinds of reasons. One persistent myth is that health reform equals socialized medicine. Some say if reform is passed, you won’t be able to buy private insurance or choose your doctor, your hospital or your treatment.

It’s just not true. Most Americans now get health coverage through their jobs. The House and Senate plans now being debated both leave employer-sponsored coverage in place and, with it, broad choices for people to pick their doctors and hospitals. (AARP has not endorsed any particular bill, but is working with the members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and the administration to achieve the best plan.)

Then there’s cost. Some say we can’t afford reform, especially in a recession. The fact is we can’t afford not to fix what’s broken with our health care system. If we do nothing, families with employer-based health coverage or Medicare will likely see their premiums nearly double again in the next seven years.  The longer we wait, the more expensive it will become for all of us—individuals, families, business, and government.

Another myth involves talk of ‘rationing health care.’ Unfortunately, some vulnerable, seriously ill people are being frightened by this cynical falsehood. Actually, nothing in current proposals would give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. 

Opponents also attack something called ‘comparative effectiveness research’ — Washington talk for giving doctors and patients more data on which treatments work, which don’t and what they cost. The myth is that this will hurt care. In fact, it will help people make the best possible health care choices for themselves and their families.

We look at ‘comparative effectiveness research’ in magazines such as Consumer Reports every time we want to buy a television or toaster. Why wouldn’t we want the same information about our health care choices?

Here’s another whopper: You gain nothing if health reform passes, particularly if you already have insurance. The truth: If you’re 65 or older and belong to a Medicare Part D plan, health reform would cut your costs for brand-name drugs by half once you reached the ‘doughnut hole’ or Part D coverage gap. Other parts of bills being debated would close the ‘doughnut hole’ entirely over time. This is especially important in West Virginia because nearly three in ten Medicare beneficiaries fall into the Part D ‘doughnut hole’.

Other provisions would forbid insurers from denying you coverage for pre-existing conditions or from dropping your coverage if they think your care is getting too expensive.

Finally — and of particular interest to AARP — some say that health reform means slashing benefits for seniors. AARP will fight with the strength of our 40 million members against any legislative proposals that unfairly harm people on Medicare.

Congress can and should save health care dollars, however, by finding savings that won’t undermine care for beneficiaries. With no reform, you’ll pay much more for health premiums, still fear being unable to get coverage if you develop a pre-existing condition, still pay too much for health care that is too often of poor quality, and still have to worry that you’re only one serious illness away from being financially wiped out, even if you still have insurance.

Americans have waited long enough for health care to be fixed. Everyone — individuals, businesses, health professionals and government — have a stake in improving access to affordable, high-quality health care for all generations. Now it’s up to our elected leaders to get the job done. It’s time to fix this broken system.

Gaylene Miller is the interim state director for AARP West Virginia.