2008 AARP Voters Guide

Transcription

1 2008 AARP Voters Guide Massachusetts 23rd Middlesex Representative District How to use the AARP Voters Guide: Here s how this Voters Guide works. AARP asked key questions about issues important to our members and their families of each major candidate for this race. Each candidate was allowed up to 125 words to answer each question. AARP did not edit or modify those answers. The candidates were asked to check the support or oppose circles. The candidates may have chosen not to check a circle. In addition, AARP has provided a summary of our position for each of the issues. Pass this guide on to friends and family. Share your views with the candidates. Ask for clarification from any candidate whose answer seems unclear. Be sure to vote on March 4th. Inside: Prescription Drug Affordability 3 Economic Security For Older Workers 4 Long-Term Care System Reform 5 Long-Term Care Insurance 6

2 Pass this guide on to friends and family. Share your views with the candidates. Ask for clarification from any candidate whose answer seems unclear. Vote March 4th.

3 2008 AARP Voters Guide MA 23rd Middlesex Representative District Prescription Drug Affordability How would you ensure that Massachusetts residents are able to afford the prescription drugs they need? Do you support or oppose state funding to provide expanded prescription drug benefits for those on Medicare and for those with low incomes? AARP s Position: Increase funding for Prescription Advantage. Cover all prescriptions not covered by Medicare. Sean Garballey (D): Increase funding for Prescription Advantage. Cover all prescriptions not covered by Medicare. John Worden, III (R): Increase funding for Prescription Advantage. Cover all prescriptions not covered by Medicare. Since 1995, prescription drugs have been one of the fastest growing parts of national health care costs. Prescription drug spending is projected to grow by more than 10 percent per year through For many people, access to coverage is compromised by its growing cost. Medicare s new prescription drug benefit is an important first step. Massachusetts is fortunate to have Prescription Advantage, the state pharmacy program that offers additional coverage. AARP supports prescription drug benefits, both in Medicare and at the state level, which are affordable, voluntary and available to all older adults. We support funding the Prescription Advantage program at the highest possible level. In addition, for Medicaid/Medicare beneficiaries and Prescription Advantage enrollees, we support covering all drugs that are not covered by Medicare. I fully support State funding to provide expanded prescription drug benefits for those on Medicare and Medicaid. Massachusetts 23rd Middlesex Representative District March 4,

4 2008 AARP Voters Guide MA 23rd Middlesex Representative District Economic Security For Older Workers What steps will you take to prepare Massachusetts for a graying workforce? Do you support or oppose increasing funds for job training and retraining programs for older workers? AARP s Position: Increase funding for job training/retraining programs for older workers. Protect participants against loss of public benefits while training. For most Americans, retirement security comes from several sources: Social Security, employer pensions and/or personal savings, and earnings. More than 38 million people in the workforce are age 50 and older, a number that will rise sharply as the workforce grows older and as employers face a shortage of younger workers and slowing laborforce growth. AARP supports flexible employment practices, such as telecommuting, job sharing, flextime, equitable part-time work with benefits and phased retirement. AARP believes employer training and retraining programs should be made available to workers of all ages. In addition, AARP supports publicly funded job training and retraining programs that serve older people without the loss of public benefits during the training period. Sean Garballey (D): Increase funding for job training/retraining programs for older workers. Protect participants against loss of public benefits while training. I do support publicly funded retraining and job training for our older citizens. I think sharing jobs is a great idea and the experience, wisdom, and devotion to work ethic is an invaluable asset to this country. John Worden, III (R): Increase funding for job training/retraining programs for older workers. Protect participants against loss of public benefits while training. 4 Massachusetts 23rd Middlesex Representative District March 4, 2008

5 AARP Voters Guide US MA President 23rd Middlesex Representative District Prescription Long-Term Care Drug System Costs Reform How would you ensure that Massachusetts residents in need of long-term services and supports have access to a full range of quality, affordable services in addition to nursing facilities? Would you support or oppose increasing public funding of long-term services and supports for Massachusetts residents? AARP s Position: Improve quality, affordability and availability of LTC services. Increase public financing of LTC services. The need for long-term care (LTC) is expected to increase dramatically as the baby boomers age and people live longer lives. LTC consists largely of uncoordinated, fragmented and costly services and supports paid for by consumers and their families, and in limited circumstances, with public dollars. Medicaid, the largest source of such public financing, favors nursing facilities over other types of LTC, such as home- and community-based care. Massachusetts relies more heavily than other states on institutional care as opposed to home- and community-based care. AARP supports the development of a comprehensive long-term services and supports system that provides quality, affordable services in nursing facilities as well as in the home and community and increased public funding for LTC services. Sean Garballey (D): Improve quality, affordability and availability of LTC services. Increase public financing of LTC services. I have seen people loose houses, life savings and all hope and pride because of the present system of LTC. I will do anything possible to protect the elderly, and their families. John Worden, III (R): Improve quality, affordability and availability of LTC services. Increase public financing of LTC services. Massachusetts 23rd Middlesex Representative District March 4,

6 AARP Voters Guide MA US 23rd President Middlesex Representative District Long-Term Prescription Care Drug Insurance Costs What would you propose to improve the quality, affordability and availability of long-term care insurance policies that offer meaningful consumer protections in Massachusetts? AARP s Position: Increase consumer protections/access to external appeals process. Increase comparative information. Sean Garballey (D): Increase consumer protections/access to external appeals process. Increase comparative information. John Worden, III (R): Increase consumer protections/access to external appeals process. Increase comparative information. As people live longer, they are more likely to need long-term care (LTC). Individuals can purchase coverage for LTC services through a private long-term care insurance policy. Policies that provide meaningful coverage and appropriate consumer protections are relatively expensive and unaffordable for many. Because of the high cost and complexity of these policies, consumers need objective information to help them determine whether to buy a policy and which policy is best for them. Massachusetts is one of a handful of states that have failed to pass a law mandating minimum standards for LTC insurance policies. AARP believes that minimum standards need to be enacted to protect buyers of LTC insurance policies. We also believe that consumers with complaints need to have access to an external appeals process. 6 Massachusetts 23rd Middlesex Representative District March 4, 2008

7 2008 AARP Voters Guide MA 23rd Middlesex Representative District AARP is making a difference! Whether it s fighting for affordable health care or working to ensure retirement security for all Americans. But we can t do it without you. Sign up for free updates and action alerts from AARP. We ll keep you informed about what s really going on in the White House, Congress, and your state legislature. Visit or fill out the form below. Thank you for participating in the AARP 2008 Election Project! FIRST NAME INIT. LAST NAME ADDRESS APT. # - CITY STATE ZIP (for example: your @provider.com) ( ) - PHONE NUMBER Yes, please me news, information, and offers from AARP and organizations that provide exclusive AARP discounts and benefits. Please mail form to: AARP 2008 Election Project Office of Voter Education 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC About the AARP 2008 Election Project: AARP has launched the nonpartisan 2008 Election Project, and with your help we can make sure our voices are heard in We don t endorse any specific candidate or party. We just care about issues and with your help we ll make sure candidates take clear stands on the issues so people can make choices that reflect what s important to them. Visit

8 2008 AARP Voters Guide MA 23rd Middlesex Representative District AARP is nonpartisan and does not own a political action committee (PAC), endorse political candidates, or contribute money to political parties or political candidates campaigns. AARP educates the public about issues of concern to older Americans and their families through voter guides, issue workshops, and candidate forums. For more information contact: AARP Massachusetts One Beacon Street, Suite 2301 Boston, MA For more information about the candidates, visit: Sean Garballey (D): John Worden, III (R):