Health bill hurts older Americans

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are considering a bill that would drive up health care costs by thousands of dollars a year for Americans ages 50 to 64. This onerous “age tax” threatens to cut people’s access to care at a time of life when it is increasingly needed.

Even worse, the American Health Care Act imposes a double whammy on older consumers who are still too young for Medicare. It not only would allow insurers to charge them five times what other people pay, it would also reduce tax credits that help many pay for the insurance they have now.

If this bill gets through, big insurance companies will have free rein to charge older Americans a lot more. In fact, up to $8,400 more per year for the same coverage you have now.

If that weren’t wrong-headed enough, the bill doles out some $200 billion in tax breaks to big drug and insurance companies and other special interests. This defies common sense and places the financial burden for health care on those who can least afford it. Americans need a health care system that protects them in the insurance market, not one that sends them over the cliff.

AARP opposes the American Health Care Act because it increases costs and risks for older Americans. If you agree, contact your member of Congress and make sure your voice is heard.

Bettye Taylor

AARP Mississippi State President

Likes Canada’s health system

 

A hot topic of conversation is healthcare. I lived in Alberta, Canada for four years and nobody talked about it. We had a single payer system. It worked well. Everybody had quality healthcare. End of story.

Michael Anderson

Meridian

Boy seeks Mississippi items

Hello! I am a fourth-grade student in North Carolina. In fourth grade, we do state reports and I have chosen your state. I am very excited to learn more about the great state of Mississippi as I work on my report.

Most of the information that we get for our reports will be from books and websites. We also like to get information from people who live in the state, too. This is why I am writing to you. I was hoping that you would be willing to send me some items to help me learn more about the best things in your state. It could be things like postcards, maps, pictures, souvenirs, general information, this newspaper article, or any other items that would be useful.

You can mail items to the address below. I really appreciate your help!

Cooper Eddie

Mrs. Smith’s Class

Charlotte Latin School

9502 Providence Road

Charlotte, NC 28277