For nearly 90 minutes, Connolly and a panel of Medicare and Social Security experts provided a brief presentation on the current state of the programs and action in Congress, and then fielded questions from residents of the Greenspring community.

Connolly stressed to those in attendance that he would not, under any circumstances, cast votes that would destroy the programs that helped lift a majority of senior citizens out of poverty and provide guaranteed medical care to disabled and older Americans.

Connolly brought a distinguished panel to join him at the town meeting to help provide attendees with the best possible information about Medicare and Social Security.  The panelists were: Joanne Grossi, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Bill Kallio, Virginia State Director for AARP;  Lester Austin, Senior Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Social Security Administration; and Howard Houghton, Program Coordinator for the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program.

Connolly cited statistical data showing that the so-called Ryan budget plan would require seniors to more than double their annual out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare, and it could result in higher prescription drug costs and deny coverage to seniors with pre-existing conditions.  Under the plan, seniors would receive a voucher to help them cover part of their cost to pay for private health insurance on the open market, rather than have their medical costs paid for by Medicare.

At a recent telephone town hall meeting on Medicare held by Connolly, more than 30,000 residents from across Virginia’s 11th Congressional District participated in the discussion.  A poll of participants showed that 73 percent opposed changes to Medicare.
 

Connolly Vows To Protect Medicare for Seniors
Nearly 100 Greenspring seniors attend town hall on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

U.S Rep Gerry Connolly (D-11) wants seniors to know that he will fight for to protect to their Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits for them.

He brought his message to nearly 100 seniors who participated in a town hall panel discussion at Greenspring retirement center in Springfield, on Monday, July 18.

“Don’t be fooled by false choices,” Connolly told the residents in his opening remarks. “Medicare is not an all or nothing choice. The United States can afford Medicare, but we can’t afford to finance tax cuts on the backs of our senior citizens.”

He said that the senior safety-net program, created in 1965 to guarantee health care to all Americans over the age of 65, could be put on more solid financial footing. He noted that before Medicare, more than 60 percent of the nation’s seniors did not have health insurance, but now nearly 100 percent of seniors, or 47 million people, have access to healthcare with Medicare.

"There's no question that we can make the system more efficient,” Connolly said, and one of the ways to do that is to curb fraud and abuse. “Every year, Medicare loses $60-$80 billion because of waste, fraud and abuse, and that’s what we need to tackle,” he said.

Connolly also said that Social Security did not create debts and deficits, and should be off the table in during deficit-reduction talks.

“At a time when older Americans are less secure in their retirement and less able to afford quality health services, now is not the time to cut their benefits … although over 90 percent of seniors for retirement, less than half have been able to save more than $50,000 … many of America’s seniors are simply unable to afford further financial strains,” Connolly said in a July 15 letter to President Barack Obama, signed by Connolly and other members of Congress.

Joanne Grossi, one of four panelists and the regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said that fraud seminars have helped to recover $4.2 billion in the past six months.

She also told residents that they might not realize how many benefits they have.

“Since January 1 of this year, all Medicare recipients get free preventative services. Pap smears, mammograms and wellness visits are free since we enacted health care reform,” Grossi said.

According to panelist Lester Austin, a senior public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration, many seniors don’t access their benefits because of the myths and misconceptions about Medicare and Social Security. “I know there’s a lot of confusion out there, but my message to you is ‘when in doubt, fill it out.’ Fill out that form, because chances are you are entitled to more than you think.”

Virginia's State Director of AARP Bill Kallio said that seniors might feel “dazed and confused” because, while they planned well for retirement and paid into Social Security, the recession jeopardized their healthcare benefits. “Seniors want to stay independent, but their health care costs area increasingly outpacing their income,” Kallio said.

Kallio said seven out of 10 people over the age of 65 will need some kind of long-term support in their lifetime, and that Medicare and Social Security are key in helping seniors maintain their independence.

He added that a recent poll of AARP's 1 million plus members in Virginia identified their top three concerns as economic security, health security, and staying independent. "

During the question and answer session, Mervyn Reeves, 72, told the panel that his internist saved his life, and he wanted to remain a patient.

“But, I recently got a letter saying that he is privatizing his practice, and I will have to pay extra to become a member,” Reeves said. He also told the panel that his doctor did not like the extra costs associated with a push to make electronic medical records mandatory.

Howard Houghton, Fairfax County's coordinator of the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, said that “concierge service” is becoming increasingly common as doctors try to offset rising costs of operating a medical practice. “Basically, you pay to be a member of the club, and to get same-day medical appointments and other benefits. But it often costs $1,000 or more, and Medicare won’t pay the entrance fee to clubs.”

“My wife and I told our doctor we couldn’t afford it. We’re public servants,” Connolly said.

Connolly added that electronic record keeping was critical in providing health services to seniors who often take multiple medications. “When doctors see the benefits, they will understand how important it is,” Connolly said.

Former Fairfax County Board Chair Audrey Moore, 82, stood up and pointed out the ID necklace that Greenspring residents wear. “You may have noticed this. We already have electronic medical records, and it’s a wonderful service. All of our doctors see how helpful it is,” she said.

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