Seniors turn up volume on health -- and health care

A dozen boisterous retirees were growing weary after lifting weights, punching the air and marching to a reggae tune during a senior-citizen fitness class at a center in southwest Minneapolis.

But they still had plenty of energy to debate current issues, as they usually do on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This time, talk turned to a topic that has raised political hackles across the nation: efforts to overhaul the health care system.

In many ways, the debate last week at Southwest Senior Center reflected national polls: A blend of optimism and worry, of hope that soaring costs can be controlled and fear that change could make things worse. The particular group doing the debating, however, carries special weight in Washington. Seniors vote in greater numbers than any other demographic group, and have become a key swing group as the 2010 elections approach. That amplifies their voices as the historic health care debate unfolds in Congress this fall.

But at Southwest Senior Center, there were a few points on which all parties agreed. They like their current health insurance under Medicare. The health care overhaul proposals in Washington seem far more complex than they need to be -- and they're sick and tired of the noisy, divisive debate.

"Get a grip, people," said Pat Mayfield, 79. "I wish these people who engage in name-calling and lies -- both Republicans and Democrats -- would just grow up and act civilized."

Added Geri Benavides, 77, to murmurs of agreement from the group, "It seems like too many people are afraid that talking about their arguments won't win you over [so] maybe shouting about them will."

Not a problem with this crowd, said fitness instructor Nancy Fritz-Whalen, who was leading the exercise group.

"Pretty much people weigh in on any topic you can imagine -- and I mean sex or anything -- with plenty of disagreement and good-natured ribbing," she said last week between classes. "But there's a level of respect and humor that leaves everybody eager to join in."

Heavy users of health care

Their propensity to vote in large numbers is just one of the reasons lawmakers listen when those 65 and older express an opinion.

They are also the primary users of health care. This 12 percent of the population uses half the health services -- at great cost to them and to the government.

Plus, after decades of leaning Democratic, older voters may be up for grabs in the next congressional elections. Some polls show that seniors worry that changing the system might weaken Medicare. Over-65 voters were the only major age group to vote against Barack Obama in 2008, and a recent Pew Research Center poll found that 43 percent of older people disapproved of his job performance in August.

That's why Obama and the Democrats have taken great pains to shoot down the charge that their legislation would create "death panels" governing end-of-life care -- and why Republican rivals and conservative talk radio hosts have drummed away at that issue.

Finally, "We may have some good answers because we've lived awhile," said Lee Jacobs, 78, a retired liquor salesman who is very concerned that "Obamacare is going to bankrupt us."

In this group, where participants can remember and debate health care legislation going back to the start of Medicare in 1965, "I'm in the minority," Jacobs said, flashing a broad smile. "I'm a rational conservative, and most of them are irrational liberals."

"No," piped up another voice. "We're the caring realists and you're the heartless conservatives." The room exploded in laughter.

But the system must be changed "because too many people can't get insurance, and even if they can, the costs are shooting out of control," Mayfield said.

"We've at least got something with Medicare, but what about all those young people who get laid off and lose their insurance for themselves and their family?" she added.

"I care about older people, but I really worry about our kids and grandkids."

The health care debate doesn't extend to all senior-citizen centers in the area.

At the Gillespie Center in Mound, seniors are "waiting to see how Congress narrows down the proposals," director Mindy Anderson said. At the White Bear Lake senior center, "The issue really hasn't come up, and we're hoping it stays that way," director Barb Green said. "There's an unspoken code that this should be a safe haven for people to come and leave all that stuff behind."

AARP members hit phones

But it's clear that many seniors care deeply.

A series of five call-in "telephone town hall" programs sponsored by AARP Minnesota in August and early September drew 47,332 callers -- about 7 percent of its 701,000 members.

Nationally, leadership of the 40-million-member organization has strongly endorsed overhauling the health care system, but not specific plans.

"Our callers had a lot of concerns about problems with the health care system and some nervousness about how we should fix them," said Michele Kimball, state director, who moderated the hourlong sessions. "Generally, I think, callers say we should reform the system, but there's still a lot of confusion about how to do it."

That confusion rankles some in the fitness class at Southwest Senior Center.

"You know, it's really not that complex," Benevides said. "If you believe, as I do, that health care is not only a right for everyone but beneficial socially and economically for the whole country, then you reorganize it so that the people -- through our government -- are in charge. We call the shots, not the insurance companies or the drug companies or the hospitals, but all of us."

Jacobs agreed that the issue is "not complex," asking: "Do you want health care run by government bureaucrats or by the industries that actually understand how to do it?"

Across the room, instructor Fritz-Whalen rolled her eyes.

"Will you guys just cut that out and start lifting your knees?" she said. "Is this an exercise class or some kind of talky-talky club?"

Of course, that started a whole new debate.

Warren Wolfe • 612-673-7253