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The Texas AARP has lined up with the national organization in endorsing the healthcare overhaul bill headed for a vote in the House, saying it includes key provisions to protect seniors while expanding health insurance coverage for most Americans.
For seniors, the bill would kill the "doughnut hole" that limits Medicare prescription drug benefits, controls costs for older workers too young for Medicare and creates a voluntary, long-term care provision, among other provisions pushed by AARP."There are a lot of good things for Texas that are in there," said Mary Scott of Bedford, the AARP Texas president. "We’re going to gear up now and try and support it. I think that the leadership of the House is counting on us to help get some of those votes."The endorsement by the American Medical Association of the same bill on Thursday did not, however, bring with it the support of the Texas Medical Association, which has broken ranks with its parent organization over healthcare reform.Officials with the Texas group said Thursday that it believes that the bill has some important provisions but that it finds some terms unacceptable. It has pushed, for example, for inclusion of a federal cap on medical malpractice cases, much like the one in Texas, and has sought a provision that would allow physicians to own medical facilities.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, added a provision to the bill this week to preserve tort reform laws in Texas and other states. The Texas Medical Association is still evaluating those changes, but praised Cuellar’s actions."Texas’ medical liability reforms have been good for Texas and good for Texas patients," the association said in a statement. "It’s critical that Texas has the ability to protect these important reforms, and Congressman Cuellar’s amendment is a step in that direction."DIANNA HUNT, 817-390-7084
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