AARP members, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt assess prospects of health care reform bill

From NJ.com -

PLAINSBORO -- During a tightly-packed hour of polite but blunt questions and answers, Rep. Rush Holt (D-New Jersey) and members of the formidable 50-and-over group, the AARP of New Jersey today discussed the promise and shortcomings of the newly passed health care reform law.

Holt, whose 12th congressional district stretches across central Jersey from rural Hunterdon County to the shore in Monmouth County, gave a brief introduction on the law to members gathered at the state headquarters off Route 1 and people listening in by teleconference. Then he took nearly an hour of questions.

"Now if you are an American you can expect health care coverage,'' Holt said. "It can't be taken away from you when you need it the most.''

A caller from Ridgefield asked how it's possible such a sweeping bill would not drive up Medicare premiums, which are already too high.

Holt said the law will save money by emphasizing efficiency - by investing in the education of more nurses and primary care doctors who are then better trained to avoid unnecessarily putting patients through procedures. The law "will result in more primary care physicians and nurses. You will be able to have someone who knows you as a total patient, not as someone who needs procedures done,'' Holt said.

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