"It is an honor to be recognized by a group who serves on the front lines of providing aging services throughout America," Grassley said. "As chairman of the Aging Committee my goal has been to be an advocate for the aging, both those currently in retirement as well as preparing for the Baby Boomers on the way. Representing Iowans in the Senate, I am particularly concerned about the unique needs of the rural elderly."
The award Grassley received today during a noon luncheon meeting was established in 1980 to honor the leadership of Dr. Louise Gerrard, a former Executive Director for the West Virginia Commission on Aging and President of NASUA. According to officials of the Washington-based association, Gerrard "saw vividly the problems and needs of the rural elderly and as a result of this experience, sought to influence national and state policy and service programs affecting their lives."
As chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and a senior member of the Finance Committee, Grassley has made significant progress this year on behalf of older Americans. He secured a place in the comprehensive bill to fund Medicare and Medicaid now under consideration by the U.S. Senate for provisions to improve access to health care in rural areas of the country.
In addition to a number of Grassley-sponsored initiatives to protect access to emergency care in rural hospitals, Grassley noted that a Medicare managed care payment floor is in place that will allow the option of managed care in every region of America for the first time. He also worked for the 50/50 federal/state blended rate that is in the current bill to reduce the current inequities between high and low reimbursement areas. "Everyone pays the same 2.9 percent payroll tax, and everyone should have the same options and the same access to benefits," Grassley said. "Furthermore, 420 rural hospitals have closed their doors since 1980. We must stop that trend."
Last week, Grassley conducted a hearing of the Aging Committee to examine to growing problem of pension miscalculations and introduced legislation to provide expanded pension counseling for older Americans. "Retirees who feel they have been under payed by their employers have precious few places to turn for help. My bill will help the Administration on Aging reach out to many more people across the country." The Grassley proposal also would establish an 800 number for one-stop help in locating assistance.
On Monday, Grassley was given the National Osteoporosis Foundation's Pioneer Award. The foundation award "salutes those individuals whose ground breaking contributions to the fight against osteoporosis have made a difference in the lives of persons affected by, or at risk, of this disease." Grassley is working with Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine to win passage of the Medicare Bone Mass Measurement Coverage Standardization Act.
