As the dust continues to settle after many weeks of discussion about health care this summer in Washington, it is important for us to keep talking about these critical, and sometimes complicated, issues. Recently, I had the privilege of serving as a panelist for an AARP Maine health care forum held in Presque Isle along with Bill Flagg of Cary Medical Center, Laura Turner of The Aroostook Medical Center and Patti Dorman of Pines Health Services.
Many participants expressed concern about issues such as future health care premium hikes, the rising cost of prescription drugs, long-term care and MaineCare, and potential changes to Medicare. A huge factor in retirement is the cost of health care with many retirees spending 40 percent or more of their income on out-of-pocket medical costs. Often those that take early retirement fail to appreciate this fact and are ill-prepared. All of these issues can have an impact on a person’s entire family and we hope County residents will continue to make their voices heard.
Of paramount concern is the future of Medicare. While we recognize that Medicare needs to be strengthened for future generations, shifting costs to seniors and workers who have paid into the system their entire working lives would be the wrong approach. We can put Medicare on stable ground with common sense solutions, such as clamping down on drug companies’ high prices, improving coordination of care and use of technology, and cutting out over-testing, waste and fraud.
Several participants also mentioned their prescription drug prices. We must push for sensible solutions that will help Mainers get the medications they need at prices they can afford. Under current law Medicare is prohibited from negotiating lower prescription drug costs from manufacturers for Part D prescription plans. This needs to change.
I want to thank the Turner Public Library for hosting our event and AARP Maine for their continued efforts to listen to the concerns of County residents, especially when it comes to health care.
Steve Farnham
Executive Director
Aroostook Agency on Aging
