President Obama Answers Seniors’ Questions on Health Reform

June 9, 2010

On June 8, older adults across the country heard directly from President Obama on what’s in the new health reform law—and how it will affect them.

In a televised town hall, President Obama and Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health & Human Services, answered seniors’ questions in person and on the phone.

The event was broadcast live from Holiday Park Multi-Service Senior Center in Wheaton, MD, which is a member of our National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC).

NCOA co-sponsored the event and helped to organize more than 60 “watch parties” across the country at senior centers, many of them NISC members.

Seniors asked questions about issues they care about most when it comes to health reform—including closing the Medicare prescription drug donut hole, providing better care coordination through primary care doctors, offering coverage for long-term care services at home, and containing costs in Medicare.

To help educate older adults about what’s in the new law, NCOA is launching a campaign called Straight Talk for Seniors. It will feature printed materials and live community education events across the country where older adults can hear more and ask questions.

3 Ways to Educate Seniors on Health Reform

1. Host a Town Hall watch party by screening the recording of President Obama at your location. The full event is available online. Watch now.
2. Start a health reform discussion. After screening the Town Hall, talk with seniors about their opinions on health reform. Then tell us how it went! Take our survey. 
3. Download our Straight Talk for Seniors. We’ve laid out five straight facts on how health reform will affect older adults. Print and share.

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