Would Help Those Struggling in Recession; Health Reform Must Come Next
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in support of President Obama’s proposed 2010 extension of the $250 Economic Recovery payment for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
“Retirees are grateful for President Obama’s call for an extension of the $250 payment to help those who are struggling in this current recession. This generous act of compassion will help 49 million Social Security recipients, many of whom have seen their retirement savings and home values badly shaken by this economic crisis. This helping hand will make a real difference in seniors’ lives, and is part of the President’s larger blueprint to grow the economy and reform the fundamentals of our financial system.
“In addition to economic recovery measures such as this, we must help current and future retirees by making sweeping, positive changes to health care. Congress must quickly pass a health insurance reform bill that closes the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, lowers prescription drug costs, helps early retirees afford health care coverage, and assists middle-class families with the costs of long-term care. It must be a bill that has a public option as an alternative to insurance companies that profit by denying care and discriminating against pre-existing conditions. The final bill must not tax health plans or benefits, as this would hurt retirees the hardest.
“Alliance members will continue their grassroots lobbying in support of these long-overdue improvements to our economy and our health care system.”
For more information, contact David Blank at (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org
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