Obama touts healthcare law senior benefits

WHEATON, Md., June 8 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama, against the backdrop of 10 primaries, returned to his healthcare policy Tuesday, highlighting benefits available to seniors.

"The Affordable Care Act … recognizes that Medicare isn't just something that you're entitled to when you reach 65; it's something that you've earned," Obama said during a tele-town hall meeting at Holiday Park Multipurpose Senior Center in Wheaton, Md. "It's something that you've worked a lifetime for, having the security of knowing that Medicare will be there when you need it."

The town hall was broadcast on C-SPAN and streamed live on the White House Web site, and took questions from seniors across the country by telephone.

Addressing critics who, among other comments, said the new healthcare law would "kill granny," Obama said the law won't change guaranteed Medicare benefits or eligibility, and coverage would continue "the way it always has."

"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. In fact, we're taking steps to increase the number of primary care physicians so that seniors get the care that they need," he said to a round of applause.

Coincidentally, his town hall was scheduled as the federal government prepares to mail the first wave of $250 rebate checks to seniors caught in the so-called doughnut hole, a gap in prescription drug coverage. The multiyear plan calls for the gap to be closed by 2020.

He also noted that preventive care -- including wellness visits and certain screening services -- will be free beginning next year "because the best way to prevent a serious illness is to diagnose it early."

"This law also gives us the power to see to it that insurance companies don't raise your rates just to pad their profit," Obama said to another round of applause. "Last week (Health and Human Services) Secretary (Kathleen) Sebelius reminded insurance companies that we've got the authority to review and reject unreasonable rate increases for Medicare Advantage plans, and she put them on notice that we will exercise that authority."

He took a poke at Republicans' opposition to the healthcare law and their efforts to repeal it.

"They want to roll back all these reform efforts," Obama said, later adding:

"Their plan would let insurance companies continue to deny folks coverage when they get sick. They'd do little to make insurance more affordable. They'd gut the existing consumer protections. They'd put insurance companies back in charge. Some have even filed legislation that would end Medicare as we know it, giving every senior a voucher for healthcare instead."

But, Obama said, "We're not going back. We are going to move forward."