TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- “How is this going to affect me?” is one of the big questions on the minds of residents of Inverness Village when U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OKla.) pays a visit to the retirement community on July 8. During the Senator’s 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. visit, he will discuss the new healthcare reform legislation. Inverness Village is located at 3800 West 71st Street in Tulsa.
“This legislation has been a frequent dinner topic. I’m concerned and my friends are concerned about how this new legislation will impact us,” explains Inverness Village resident Robert White, MD, a retired general practitioner who practiced medicine for 32 years in Salpulpa prior to retiring. “As users of Medicare, we are an unprotected group, as many of us rely on Medicare as our primary health insurance. The idea of care for all is great, but how are they going to pay for it? I don’t think people realized what they were asking for with this new attempt at healthcare.”
Dr. White says he retired because he could see this coming. He believes that medical costs can only be controlled if people are made responsible for a part of the cost. He says that in the case of the new reform, the government says they will decide what care people need and give it to everyone. Dr. White says that in his own practice, there was a time he couldn’t get people to go to the hospital because they didn’t want the payment burden. They needed the money for the nice house they bought. But when insurance rules changed for some and the coverage was provided, those same folks thought a hospital stay was the ticket. “Some of my patients told me it was air conditioned, the food was pretty good, they had visits from family and friends they hadn’t seen in awhile—it was a good deal and they weren’t paying for it.”
Scott Bushong, executive director of Inverness Village, points out that this gathering is a chance for residents to have their uncertainties cleared up and hear a broad summary of what the legislation will mean to them. With the baby boomers starting to reach Medicare age, some see this group as the one most potentially impacted by the reform.
“Sen. Coburn will be holding a Q&A as part of his visit, so he can get a pulse from the residents on hot topics and concerns he can bring back to Washington to share with Congress,” says Mr. Bushong. “As one of the leaders in senior living in this region, Sen. Coburn knew the perspective of this audience at Inverness Village was important. Our programs and approach to wellness continue to make us stand out from others in this industry.”
“Everyone is talking about this event, so I think there will be a big turnout,” says George Joseph, 88, a retired owner of a cast metal shop. “I have a lot of questions for the senator. From what I’ve already read about this reform, it sounds to me like the elderly will be stripped of their care. How else will they pay for this? They have to cut corners somewhere, and I’m afraid that Medicare and our prescription drug coverage is where they will be fishing.”
Inverness Village is a Life Care retirement community located in Tulsa, Okla., that is part of Asbury Communities, Inc., which provides management and support services for a system of continuing care retirement communities for older adults. Asbury Communities is ranked by American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and Ziegler Capital Markets Group’s AZ 100 as the 14th largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the country.
Inverness Village does not endorse political candidates. Today’s gathering does not imply either direct or indirect candidate support by either Inverness Village or Asbury Communities.
CONTACT:
Remey Communications
Sandra Remey
301-929-3554 (office)
301-467-9024 (cell)
or
Inverness Village
Barbara Sorochty
918-388-4225 (office)
918-728-0646 (cell)
KEYWORDS: United States North America Oklahoma
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Seniors Health Public Policy/Government Healthcare Reform Other Government State/Local White House/Federal Government Consumer General Health Managed Care
MEDIA:
| Logo |