Contact:
Jim Flaherty
(608) 286-6308
jflaherty@aarp.org

MADISON, WISCONSIN – A new analysis of the Senate’s proposed health care bill shows that older Wisconsinites would be forced to pay much higher premiums or go without health insurance coverage.

With the proposed spike in premiums and reduced tax credits, known as the age tax, a 60-year old Wisconsinite with a $45,000 annual income could have to pay up to $13,920 in 2020.

The new analysis by AARP’s Public Policy Institute looks at expected increases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs for older Wisconsinites by income level, if those people chose to keep their current coverage.

The projected premiums also reflect the Age Tax contained in the Senate bill – an increase that lets insurers charge older policyholders five times more than everyone else for their insurance.

“Forcing people over fifty to pay thousands more will mean many Wisconsinites will not be able to afford to go to the doctor, fill their prescriptions or get the care they need,” said AARP Wisconsin State Director Sam Wilson. “We urge Senator Tammy Baldwin to continue her strong opposition to this bill and we urge Senator Ron Johnson to vote ‘NO’ on this higher cost, less coverage bill.”

Details of the AARP Public Policy Institute analysis can be found here.

Recent surveys of older Americans in key states showed strong opposition to the provisions of the House-passed health reform bill.

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