Giffords promotes Medicare revision

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., led a forum at the Canoa Hills Social Center on Saturday to address proposed improvements to Medicare, focusing on the recently passed Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP).

Giffords was joined by Pima Council on Aging Ombudsman Stewart Grabel and two representatives from AARP. More than 100 Green Valley residents were in attendance.

“The president is threatening to veto this bill, which I feel would be a mistake,” Giffords said. “The one issue that all the upcoming presidential candidates have taken a stance on is Medicare, which indicates its level of importance, and the importance of the CHAMP Act.”

CHAMP, which passed Aug. 1 in the House, would provide health care for the 195,000 uninsured children in Arizona, essentially replacing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that will expire this fall. Supporters say the bill would improve Medicare benefits, which became the main topic of discussion at the forum.

Proposed improvements to Medicare include:

Free preventative benefits, including vaccinations and cancer screenings;