Alliance for Retired Americans Blog

Senator Tom Harkin Talks to Alliance Activists About the Rebuild America Act

Last Thursday, over 100 Alliance activists from across the country dialed in to hear from U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, about the critical issues of Social Security and pensions. The Senator took questions and spoke about his top legislative priority: Senate Bill 2252, the Rebuild America Act.

The Rebuild America Act includes a number of provisions that strengthen Social Security and retirement security (in addition to other measures that would help to rebuild the middle class). The bill would extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund by phasing out the tax cap so that everyone pays their fair share into Social Security.

The Rebuild America Act will also change the benefit calculations for the annual cost-of-living adjustments or COLA for all Social Security programs by switching over to a price index that takes the expenses incurred by seniors into account. By adjusting the benefit formula, the RAA would increase Social Security benefits on average by $800 per year. Senator Harkin said, “Not only can we not cut Social Security, we have to increase Social Security benefits.” More on this legislation here.

Senator Harkin has showed a strong committment to seniors issues while in Congress. Alliance members were glad for the opportunity to hear from the Senator about this plan that would strengthen Social Security, retirement security and benefit the 99%.  Learn more about the Rebuild America Act here.

 

Leaders Participate in White House Briefing on Seniors Issues, Biden Reaffirms Administration Commitment to Social Security & Medicare

This Monday, several members of the Alliance for Retired Americans from the Maryland, Missouri, North

Judith Parker of Missouri

Carolina and Virginia chapters attended a White House Community Leaders Briefing on Seniors Issues.

 

Judith Parker, a senior and a field coordinator for the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans, spoke from the heart about her personal experiences with Medicare. New York AFSCME retiree Stuart Leibowitz also served as a panelist at Monday’s briefing, discussing the importance of preserving Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Ms. Parker shared that “Because of Medicare, I am free of fear and worry about my coming health care needs,” and went on to explain the quality care her mother and husband received because they had access to Medicare benefits.  Full remarks here.

In an interview after the White House briefing, Stuart Leibowitz said, “Who can afford the price of major surgery?" "It is impossible for anybody – unless you’re in the top 1 percent – to pay your own bills with respect to major surgery.”

Vice President Joe Biden followed by calling out GOP leaders for having “different values” when it comes to critical issues such as Social Security, health care, and Medicare at the White House Community Leaders briefing on senior issues.  Biden pointed to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the Republican House Budget, saying that the GOP would sacrifice the well-being of seniors for the sake of tax cuts.   

Southern Governors Buck Medicaid Expansion, Will Leave Poor Uninsured

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision allowing states to opt out of the Medicaid provisions of the Affordable Care Act, five southern governors have chosen to abstain from expanding the program in their states. 

Among those refusing are Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) and Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), whose states account for about 20 percent of all potential Medicaid beneficiaries under the ACA.  The other states denying the expansion are Louisiana, South Carolina, and Mississippi.  These governors’ choices leave millions without the health care they need in a time of economic uncertainty.

The Texas Alliance launched a petition this week to demand implementation of the ACA in their state. They will deliver the signatures to the Governor and Texas legislature. If you are a Texas resident, be sure to sign the petition.

Legislators, Alliance Members Rebuke Votes to Repeal Health Care Reform

On Wednesday, supporters of President Obama’s health care law and the Democratic leadership from the House of Representatives gathered at the Capitol building for a press conference to hold the Republicans accountable for voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Alliance Regional Board Member and retired social studies teacher Bill Cea spoke on behalf of the Alliance, saying of the Affordable Care Act, “Not only is this good for your health, but it is also good public policy.”

Other Regional Board members showed their support by attending and speaking out - including Sam Burnett, Tim Foley, Larry Malone,  James Parent, Nancy True, Jody Weinreich, Marty Alvarado, Kenneth Stevens, Emmett Sheppard, JoEtta Brown, Louie Duran, John O'Brien and Mack Goodman.

The press conference was organized by the Democratic House leadership: Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Assistant Leader James Clyburn (SC). The three Representatives had strong words for their Republican colleagues, who voted to repeal the ACA, 244-185. Five Democrats joined the full Republican caucus in voting in favor of repeal; no GOP lawmakers crossed the aisle. For a complete tally of the vote, click here .

This week's vote was the 33rd attempt by congressional Republicans to repeal this law, a law that in the past two years has been approved by both houses of Congress, signed by the President, and upheld by the Supreme Court.  It is time to move on.