Citing its efforts to protect and strengthen Medicare, provide affordable coverage options and provide long-term care support and services, the AARP announced its support for the House’s efforts to reform the nation’s health care system.

At a press conference today (Nov. 5), AARP officials announced their endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which could come before the House for discussion as early as Nov. 6. The bill – costing $894 billion over 10 years, according to House Democrats –  provides numerous changes to the health insurance marketplace, such as a government-run program and creates and exchange for individuals and small businesses to purchase coverage online. If the House approves the bill, it would get merged with a Senate bill, which has some differences that would have to be ironed out between the two bodies.

A. Barry Rand

A. Barry Rand, AARP’s chief executive officer, said the organization has read the nearly 2,000-page bill and found that it meets AARP’s goals of comprehensive health reform and ensures that those relying on Medicare “have access to doctors when they need them …and provides [coverage] when those over 65 need it.

“The bill protects the rights of Americans to see the doctor of their choice,” Rand said.

With the group’s endorsement, Rand urged the House to pass “this critical bill” this year “so the health care system can work for all of us.

“We will fight with the strength of our nearly 40 million members to get this done,” he said.

Rand said the national organization’s support was based on the bill meeting three key AARP priorities for reform: strengthening and protecting Medicare, providing affordable care to older Americans and updating what Rand called “outdated” long-term care services nationwide.

Regarding the preservation of Medicare, Rand said that affordability has been the “number one focus” of the AARP and the House bill helps close the “doughnut hole,”  the gap between Medicare Part D coverage and access to catastrophic coverage options for prescription drugs.

The bill also would allow the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies and “continue to fight to lower prescription drug costs,” Rand said.

“Getting the drugs you need should be based on doctors’ orders, not the condition of your bank account,” he said.

The House’s proposal seeks to prohibit insurers from denying care based on age, gender or health. Rand said that insurance companies can charge older Americans up to 10 times the amount of their younger counterparts.

“That’s age discrimination,” he said, adding that through the House bill, “millions of Americans will regain control over their lives…and have greater piece of mind and access to health care.”

The AARP also voiced its support for The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act under HR 3962, which establishes a national long-term insurance program. Rand said the voluntary program provides systems and support to help older Americans remain their independence and remain in their homes.

Rand would not put a number on how many AARP members have cancelled their membership due to the organization’s support for the bill, adding that “our hope is to net more members as they understand the benefits” of the proposed legislation.