Health Reform Must Lower Costs, Improve Care for People in Medicare

by Administrator 12. May 2009 05:31
AARP - As the Administration prepares to announce another drop in the lifespan of the Medicare trust fund, AARP’s Health Action Now campaign is insisting that comprehensive health reform include specific measures to cut wasteful spending and lower costs for individuals—all while improving the quality of care. The organization is focusing on reducing waste in Medicare, particularly by reducing costly hospital readmissions and cutting billions of dollars in fraud.

“For most Americans, the biggest roadblock to health care is cost,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “By rooting out the waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare, we can improve the health of people in the program, improve access to quality care and save billions of dollars.”

Putting an End to Preventable Hospital Readmissions

AARP is telling lawmakers that any health reform package must include a Medicare follow-up care benefit, which would help people safely return to their homes or another setting after a hospital stay, coordinate their health care needs and prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions. Such a benefit can help save some of the over $17 billion Medicare spends on largely preventable hospital readmissions and significantly reduce the 20 percent of people in Medicare who are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their first visit.

“Too many Americans are landing back in the hospital because they are sent home without the information and direction they need,” added LeaMond. “We can keep people healthier by making sure they get the right care the first time around.”

AARP is proposing a benefit designed to support people as they move from the hospital to their homes, skilled nursing facilities or rehabilitation centers. Its goals would include delivering the services they need to stay out of the hospital, managing their medications and supporting their family caregivers. Targeting the most at-risk individuals, a team of health professionals would assess patients and their caregivers before leaving the hospital. The team would work with patients and caregivers to develop a plan for appropriate follow-up during and after the transition.

Saving Billions by Stopping Medicare Fraud

AARP is also working with leaders in Congress to fight Medicare fraud throughout the program by stepping up enforcement and prosecution. Rooting out fraud will save billions of dollars for people in Medicare, holding down their premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

LeaMond added: “Regardless of where lawmakers stand on the political spectrum, nearly all agree that paying for health care fraud is unacceptable. Medicare needs to be a leader in cracking down on fraud so everyone in the program can save on their health care bills.”

Eliminating wasteful spending by providing a follow-up care benefit is one of many ways we can lower health care costs and improve patient care, especially for individuals with chronic illnesses. A recent report by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, “Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health Reform,” details the state of chronic care and offers recommendations for improving care for the chronically ill, including transitional care after a hospital stay. The report can be found at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/carequality/beyond_50_hcr.html.

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Aging Successfully | Demographics & Aging | Finance | Gerontology / Geriatrics | Health & Medical | Retirement | Social Security / Medicare

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About the Author

John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

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