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Healthcare reform proponents got another boost after the Affordable Health Care for America Act passed in the House of Representatives last weekend with AARP announcing their support of the bill as well.

"Here in Texoma we have a tremendous amount of elderly, and the economy is not very good, most of our elderly people are on fixed incomes and most of those incomes are not very much,” said Deborah McAdoo, Executive Director at Pecan Point assisted living. AARP, known for being an advocate for senior citizen's health for over 50 years, is now backing the Healthcare Reform bill in Washington. They say it will protect Medicare, expand Medicaid and make healthcare more affordable for everyone. "AARP, obviously they are very well known and trusted by most elderly people so you would think they would make a good decision on their behalf,” said McAdoo.

But even with the national organization's support, Republicans are not happy with bill H.R. 3962's passage over the weekend. "It's over 2,000 pages and we got a copy of this bill probably a week ago and started debating it that following Monday and that's the way the bill's passed, and nobody knows what's in it,” explained Congressman Hall, District 4. AARP says their organization did have time to go over the bill, and are putting their name and support behind it. "Our policy decisions are based on what's best for our members, and I assure you we studied this bill and we have hundreds and hundreds of hours of staff time, we've analyzed this bill... and we know what's in it and we know it's good, it's not perfect but it is a good bill,” said Tim Simmons, AARP Manager of State Operations in Texas.

Local Congressman Ralph Hall says he still opposes the Healthcare reform bill, and said it wasn't fair how the bill was passed. "Give the loyal opposition the courtesy of at least reading the bill and not only had we on the republican side didn't have a chance to the read the bill but their own party didn't have a chance to read the bill,” said Congressman Hall. Proponents still have their work cut out for them as it now moves on to the Senate. But either way, Congressman Hall says he'll try and make the legislation work. "If this bill passes up there I'm going to quit complaining and I'm going to do what I can do to make it work,” said Congressman Hall. The healthcare reform bill passed by a narrow vote this weekend 220 to 215. And Congressman Hall says he isn't sure what will happen when it reaches the Senate, but that they've got their work cut out for them.

Source: kxii.com

You can discuss more about Healthcare Reform and related topics in our Healthcare Reform Group.