Letter to the Editor: Scott Brown’s Health Care Policy Harmful for Brookline Seniors
ProgressMass writes in to discuss what they believe could be the effect of Scott Brown's policies on seniors in Brookline.
The following is a letter to the editor from ProgressMass, a self-described "progressive communications hub":
Scott Brown’s Health Care Policy Harmful for Brookline Seniors
According to the 2010 Census, 7,494 people age 65 and older live in Brookline, and every one of them should be deeply concerned about Republican Scott Brown’s health care policy. The centerpiece of Brown’s health care policy is working to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform law known as ObamaCare.
National health care advocacy organization Community Catalyst Action Fund released a new analysis finding that, if the Affordable Care Act (“ObamaCare”) is repealed, senior citizens in Brookline and across Massachusetts will be saddled with higher costs and fewer benefits.
ObamaCare, as it is known, lowers seniors’ Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs by an estimated $500 per year. This means that, if Republican Scott Brown gets his way and repeals ObamaCare, seniors’ Medicare costs will go up about $5,000 over the next decade.
ObamaCare also fills in the so-called “donut hole” in prescription drug coverage for seniors. Between January and August of this year, 31,000 Massachusetts residents hit the “donut hole.” ObamaCare saved those Medicare beneficiaries an average of over $600 per person. This means that, if Republican Scott Brown gets his way and repeals ObamaCare, seniors’ prescription drug costs will go up dramatically.
Also, during the first eight months of 2012, over 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries across Massachusetts took advantage of no-cost preventive services thanks to ObamaCare. If Republican Scott Brown gets his way and repeals ObamaCare, seniors will lose these no-cost preventive services.
Policy decisions made in Washington D.C. have a real and direct impact on the residents of Brookline. The health care policy that Republican Scott Brown is advocating would have a decidedly harmful impact on Brookline's seniors.
Mathew Helman
ProgressMass
http://www.ProgressMass.org/
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MoonBeamWatcher
3:41 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
This is an unPaid, political action hatchet job!
Bet the ACLU and Brookline PAX have the same opinions!
OMG! = Obama Must Go!
MoonBeamWatcher
4:20 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Citizens of Brookline, why, when Massachusetts has Mitt Light are we not having a discussion about OPTING-OUT of ObamaCare? Should MA seniors who downsize be forced to pay the 3.8% ObamaCare tax? We the former proud Democrats who became INDEPENDENT and after that was hi-jacked unEnrolled voters sent Brown to DC to deliver a message to Beacon Hill and BOTH sides of the aisle in DC! Those with the 9% approval rate AGREED virtue of the DATE NIGHT the evening of Obamas last "State of the Nation Address!" Obama will manage Americas downfall while Mitt will provide everyone the opportunity to reclaim her rightful roll of greatness that draws people from every corner of the world! OMG! = Obama Must Go!