To the Editor:
On behalf of the thousands of AARP members and their families in his Congressional district, we thank Representative Donald Payne Jr. for listening to his constituents and opposing the AHCA. AARP is proud to have helped lead the fight against AHCA. This health care bill would have meant higher costs and less coverage for New Jerseyans. Congressman Payne ’s opposition to this bill helps ensure insurance companies won’t be imposing an “age tax” on older Americans, Medicare trust funds won’t be diminished to provide a tax cut for the wealthy, and insurance and drug companies won’t be getting the giveaways and sweetheart deals the bill would have provided. We applaud Congressman Payne for showing leadership in publicly opposing this harmful bill and hope he can use that leadership to work with his colleagues to focus on the issues important to older Americans and their families, including: protecting and improving Medicare’s benefits and financing; providing access to affordable quality coverage; preventing insurers from engaging in discriminatory practices; lowering prescription drug costs; providing new incentives to expand home and community based services; and strengthening efforts to fight fraud, waste, and abuse.
DAVE MOLLEN
AARP New Jersey State President
