The American Geriatric Society has approached the new administration on potential changes to the Affordable Care Act with an eye toward how those changes will, or could, affect seniors.

In letters sent to the then-president-elect and members of Congress prior to the inauguration, the AGS sought to stress “the importance of collaborating to support older Americans through critical programs and policies” as changes loom for the ACA.

“In our letters, we focused on programs that are critical to the clinical care of older Americans and their families, and to ensuring that we have a workforce with the skills and competence to care for us all as we age,” Nancy E. Lundebjerg, MPA, chief executive officer of the AGS, said in a statement.

Lundebjerg continued, “We look forward to working with the administration and Congress on public policy solutions that will achieve our vision for a future when every older American receives highquality, personcentered care.”

Reminders of this type are likely necessary as Republicans seek to navigate the choppy waters of repeal-and-replace.

The new president promises the American public that health care will be better, and cheaper, under his administration and that no one will lose coverage -- even as Republicans seek to dismantle the program piece by piece without a completed replacement plan waiting in the wings.

While most of the actions that have been discussed have more to do with eliminating requirements of the ACA, the AGS is far more focused on what can be added.

The organization’s letter said that its “vision for the future involves federal and state policies that” expand healthcare options for older adults; take into account the “unique health needs” that accompany aging; and “support … current and future caregivers with adequate resources.”

That will be a tall order, since pushing the quality of health care in the right direction, and rewarding improvements, will require more rather than less customization, especially in the cases of people who are dealing with complex care needs or multiple chronic conditions.

In addition, strengthening “primary and preventive care and care coordination” will be harder to do if changes to or repeal of the ACA result in cuts to budgets covering preventive care.

The organization also expressed concern about the potential for changes to Medicare and Medicaid and the repeal of health reforms that could result in increased costs, reduced coverage, or cuts in benefits. Additional recommendations in its letter stressed continuing innovations in care delivery and care coordination, as well as serving the needs of American veterans.

In addition, the AGS pointed out the need to address a growing shortage of geriatricians, train clinicians who lack adequate experience in caring for older people, and conduct research on aging, age-related health problems and the cost-effectiveness of different care approaches.

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Group says don't repeal ACA, add more options for seniors

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