August 8, 2001

AIM APPLAUDS SENATOR RON WYDEN'S
BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MEDICARE

(Washington, DC) - AIM Director Tracey Moorhead met today with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to thank him for his bipartisan efforts to improve the Medicare program.

Ms. Moorhead recognized Senator Wyden's work with Republican Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to develop a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients.  Ms. Moorhead called the Wyden-Snowe efforts to provide prescription drug coverage to seniors "a good first step which should be considered as part of broader Medicare modernization efforts."

AIM Director Moorhead also presented Senator Wyden with results of a recent survey commissioned by AIM.   The survey showed that, although a majority of respondents had a favorable opinion of the Medicare program, a vast majority of Americans under age 75 believe the program needs to be changed to provide additional health care coverage choices and prescription drug benefits.  Support for these changes cut across party lines.

Urging Senator Wyden's consideration of the survey results, Ms. Moorhead said, "Younger Medicare beneficiaries and those Americans nearing age 65 do not believe Medicare has kept pace with advances in health care delivery.  These Americans typically have experienced private sector, employer-provided health care benefits which are more likely to include prescription drug benefits and preventive health services not currently covered by Medicare."

AIM supports efforts to ensure Medicare's future by strengthening the program's financial health and improving coverage options by expanding consumer choices and benefits. AIM is a coalition of over 35 organizations representing seniors, doctors, hospitals, small and large businesses, medical research and innovators, insurance plans and providers, and others who are dedicated to achieving comprehensive reform of the traditional Medicare system.