I'm glad Evelyn Jacob agrees we need health care reform, but fixing our broken health care system is far too important to be derailed by the myths and scare tactics.

Jacob, and Vonnie Eckroth in an Aug. 2 letter, both raise the most misleading and cruelest scare tactic of all - that health reform requires mandatory end-of-life counseling. Health care reform will not give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. This provision would provide a new optional benefit that would pay doctors for their time if a person on Medicare chose to consult them for information on advance care planning, such as making a living will, appointing a health proxy and hospice care. Such consultations are currently not covered by Medicare. This benefit would not only help people make the best decisions for themselves, but also better ensure that their wishes are followed.

Jacob and Eckroth also suggest that health care reform would lead to government-run or socialized medicine. Again, it's just not true. None of the proposals before Congress include a "single-payer" plan. Health care reform will preserve the employer-based health care system, meaning an estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their coverage through their employers. And for people who buy coverage for themselves, there would be a range of private health plans from which to choose.

Finally, AARP has not endorsed any health care bill. AARP is committed to making sure health care reform:

n lowers drug costs and strengthens Medicare by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole."

n protects your health care choices by making sure you can choose your doctor, your health insurance plan and where to receive care.

n ends discrimination by insurance companies by preventing them from denying you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or using age to price Americans age 50-64 out of affordable, quality health insurance.

n guarantees stable, affordable coverage so you have the security of knowing that if you lose or change jobs, you will be able to get affordable, quality health insurance.

Myths and lies have warped the health care reform debate, targeting older Americans in particular with horror stories about euthanasia, rationed care and cuts to Medicare benefits. A lot of the information about health reform on the Internet, cable news and talk radio simply isn't true. As the debate continues, it's important for everyone to be armed with the facts.

(Lyle Halvorson is the communication director for AARP North Dakota.)