Health Care Discussions
By Paramus Post Monday, October 26, 2009, 04:43 PM EDT
To the editor:
As an avid follower of health care discussions, I am happy to see that there are legislators working to improve quality and ensure access to health care benefits.
Senator Robert Menendez should be commended for his recent work with the “Puerto Rico Medicare Fairness” amendment, which allows for auto-enrollment of Puerto Ricans in Medicare Part B.
Currently, even though Puerto Ricans pay their full share of Medicare taxes, Medicare does not auto-enroll them in Part B like other Americans. As a result, many only enroll in Part B when they require doctor or other outpatient services and realize for the first time that they are not enrolled. Then, because they have missed the initial enrollment period, they must pay late enrollment fines for the rest of their lives.
One of AARP’s goals of national health care reform is to create access to quality health care for all U.S. citizens, wherever they reside. AARP believes that U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and the territories should have access to all existing and new federal health care programs, with appropriate funding and enrollment rules to facilitate that access.
Senator Menendez is to be applauded for his leadership and support of this key issue.
Blenda Riddick
Associate State Director – Advocacy
AARP New Jersey
As an avid follower of health care discussions, I am happy to see that there are legislators working to improve quality and ensure access to health care benefits.
Senator Robert Menendez should be commended for his recent work with the “Puerto Rico Medicare Fairness” amendment, which allows for auto-enrollment of Puerto Ricans in Medicare Part B.
Currently, even though Puerto Ricans pay their full share of Medicare taxes, Medicare does not auto-enroll them in Part B like other Americans. As a result, many only enroll in Part B when they require doctor or other outpatient services and realize for the first time that they are not enrolled. Then, because they have missed the initial enrollment period, they must pay late enrollment fines for the rest of their lives.
One of AARP’s goals of national health care reform is to create access to quality health care for all U.S. citizens, wherever they reside. AARP believes that U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and the territories should have access to all existing and new federal health care programs, with appropriate funding and enrollment rules to facilitate that access.
Senator Menendez is to be applauded for his leadership and support of this key issue.
Blenda Riddick
Associate State Director – Advocacy
AARP New Jersey
