Alliance members scheduled over 70 district meetings with their elected officials for this week’s President’s Day Lobby Week. The appointments came as the Senate is set to vote next week - right after the Congressional recess ends - on a plan to stop the March 1 sequester (automatic budget cuts) without harming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
On February 14, Senate Democrats released their plan to avert the sequester for the rest of the year — it contains $110 billion in deficit reduction, evenly divided between spending cuts and new revenues. During Lobby Week, Alliance members have been asking senators to vote for this package and asking House members to vote for it should it come to the House.
Included in the Lobby Week events: a rally and petition drop outside House Speaker John Boehner's (R) office in West Chester, Ohio on Wednesday.
Among those at risk if the cuts come to fruition: homebound and disabled seniors behind closed doors – “the hidden hungry” across the U.S.A., according to Larry Tomayko, interim chief executive officer of the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). If congressional domestic-spending cuts take effect on March 1, MOWAA faces an estimated 5.1% reduction in Older Americans Act funding.
According to Americans for Tax Fairness, a recent Hart Research poll found that found that two-thirds of voters nationwide want the richest 2% (by 66% of voters) and large corporations (by 64% of voters) to pay more in taxes. The poll also found that 59% of voters say that we still need to do more to make sure the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes: .
Here's what Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans said today:
Mitt Romney’s choice of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate locks in place the most anti-senior ticket ever. These two men have admitted – on the record - the threats that they pose to Medicare and Social Security. One of our worst fears is that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will actually keep their promises.
Paul Ryan’s budget plan would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. He would also make older workers, who have trouble finding health insurance in the private marketplace, wait until they reach age 67 to qualify for Medicare benefits.
Imagine combining this with Mitt Romney’s plan to require Americans in all sectors, including physically demanding jobs, to work until age 70 before they can be eligible for the Social Security benefits they have earned. The Romney-Ryan team would end guaranteed benefits on both Social Security and Medicare. What did seniors ever do to them?
The Congressional Budget Office projects that under the Ryan budget, federal Medicare expenditures on behalf of an average new beneficiary would be $400 to $700 (6 to 11 percent) less in 2023, $1,200 to $2,200 (14 to 23 percent) less in 2030, and $5,900 to $8,000 (35 to 42 percent) less in 2050 than under current law.
The Alliance for Retired Americans will do all it can the next three months to educate seniors on the Romney-Ryan plans for seniors. In the end, we hope that Paul Ryan goes down in history as another losing VP pick who makes future school children ask, ‘What were they thinking?’
Ryan’s plans are clear – and retirees would suffer the most
Yesterday's landmark decision by the Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act was well-received by Alliance members and seniors throughout the country.
Because of the ACA, in 2011, over 3.6 million seniors on Medicare saved a total of $2.1 billion on their drug costs, an average of $604 person. And over 32 million seniors received at least one new free preventive care benefit through Medicare.
Seniors throughout the state participated in press conferences and celebrations. Photos.
Wisconsin Alliance President Leon Burzynski commented, "Seniors have and will continue to benefit from the Affordable Care Act in many ways. It is a positive step forward for all older Americans, our children, grandchildren and generations to come."
Maryland/DC Alliance President Frank Stella said, "Maryland is a better place to live today, thanks to today’s Supreme Court decision. More than 750,000 older Marylanders will continue to receive improved health care because the court has upheld important advances in Medicare such as the closing of the doughnut hole in prescription drug coverage and the continuation of critical screening tests without deductibles and co-payments."
Here are some press clips and Alliance mentions
AZ Arizona Daily Star Republicans vow to repeal 'Obamacare': Politicians and candidates on both sides weigh in on constitutional issue, costs and fairness
Alliance members and leaders across the nation have not let up in their efforts to strengthen Social Security and combat proposed cuts from the federal deficit reduction panel. [Arizona Alliance pictured in 2 photos at right.]
Yesterday, the panel released their plan to reduce the federal deficit in a 66 page report entitled "The Moment of Truth." A vote on the proposal by the 16 commissioners was postponed until Friday.
Alliance Executive Director Ed Coyle came out against the plan yesterday saying that it turns a blind eye to tax cuts for millionaires and disproportionately impacts the working class and retirees. Coyle asked, "Since Commission members of all ideologies today acknowledged that Social Security does not add to the deficit, why are these callous, draconian cuts the centerpiece of the Commission’s recommendations?"
Last Tuesday, Alliance members in California and Illinois got the word out in their respective states about the need to ward off cuts to Social Security. The California Alliance (CARA) held press events in L.A. and San Francisco, presenting over 75,000 signatures to Congressman Becerra and Speaker Pelosi urging them to share our NO CUTS message with the Fiscal Commission and with Congress.
The Illinois Alliance held a press conference with Champaign County Health Care Consumers the same day to tout their support for Rep. Jan Schakowsky's (a member of Obama's Fiscal Commission) plan to reduce the federal deficit. Barbara Franklin, President, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans said
Congresswoman Schakowsky’s deficit reduction plan demonstrates that the deficit can be addressed without harming lower and middle-income Americans. The plan balances the federal deficit in a thoughtful and responsible manner, while safeguarding the hard-earned Social Security benefits of retirees.
Unlike the commission’s co-chairs, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles, Jan Schakowsky has set forth a plan that does not slash Social Security, give tax breaks to the rich, or cause further harm middle class workers and retirees.
The following day, Wednesday, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) teamed up with the Pennsylvania Alliance to take a stand on the Fiscal Commission's likely recommendations for Social Security cuts in advance of the December 1st release. Seniors and workers discussed the impact of proposed cuts. USW Secretary Treasurer Stan Johnson said at the event, “We cannot allow retirees, our nation’s most vulnerable group, to be made the scapegoats and sacrificed to satisfy the greed of those who are the most well off.” [Photos at right: Jean Friday, President, PA Alliance for Retired Americans; Credit Jim Coleman - SOAR]
This Monday, the Arizona Alliance continued its activities with a press conference and an open letter to Senator John McCain. The Arizona Alliance urged McCain to safeguard Social Security and oppose any proposals that will cut benefits. Download open letter here. Photos here.
On Tuesday, the nation's defenders of Social Security teamed up for a National Call-In Day on Social Security. Capitol Hill's phone lines were slammed Tuesday thanks to concerned citizens nationwide. In fact, the Capitol Switchboard and the phones went down for a while due to the phone traffic. "Hands Off Our Social Security!" was the message sent loud and clear. (The 800 call-in number is still live 1-866-529-7630.)
Next Monday, the Missouri Alliance Educational Fund and Illinois Alliance gather area seniors and guests for Social Security luncheons. The working lunches will seek to separate fact from fiction about Social Security as changes to Social Security is debated in Washington.
This week's teletown hall event with President Obama, organized to clarify the new health reform law for seniors, was well-received by many seniors and Alliance members nation-wide.
The Alliance's Judy Cato attended the event in Wheaton, Maryland; and the Alliance hosted over 25 watch-and-call-in parties in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvani and South Carolina.
Photos. [Top left: Obama at tele-town hall in Wheaton MD courtesy National Council on Aging (NCOA) Bottom left: DesMoines, Iowa event.]
Barbara Franklin, President of the Illinois Alliance, was the first phone call accepted. She asked President Obama about whether or not changes in Medicare Advantage overpayments would result in a reduction in care for seniors. Obama replied that this was one of the more common myths about health reform (in addition to death panel concepts), and explained what the new health law does to sustain Medicare.
Elmer Blankenship said in response to Obama's tele-town hall,
As a retired Auto Worker and a member of The Indiana Alliance for Retired Americans, I was one of the seniors here in Indianapolis that watched President Obama’s June 8 town hall forum on CSPAN to learn more about how the new health reform law will benefit seniors and retirees.
The new law will help retirees better afford to see a doctor and fill their prescriptions. Seniors who fall into the “doughnut hole” coverage gap in Medicare Part D will, starting this week, receive a $250 rebate check from the government. That may not sound like much, but for many Seniors, it can be the difference to getting needed medicine.
Seniors are starting to benefit with free annual check-ups in Medicare, ending co-payment for preventative screenings, allowing children up to age 26 to be covered on their parents policy and in many other ways. I thank President Obama for his efforts to end the myths and scare tactics around health reform and giving America’s seniors the facts.
Ken Sagar and Midge Slater reported from Iowa that the consensus from seniors gathered at the tele-town hall sites was that "President Obama should do more town hall meetings to inform Americans of the content of the new health care program and to dispel the falsehoods being spread by tea party and other malcontents. Many people indicated that they learned quite a bit from the discussion."
At a special event on Tuesday, June 8, Alliance members are invited to ask the President health care questions by telephone!
A few members of the Alliance will be attending the event - which will include information on benefits for seniors under the new health care law - live, in Wheaton, Maryland. Other members are invited to ask the President questions by phone.
This one-time, national "tele-town hall" can also be seen and heard on television by watching C-SPAN, or on-line via web streaming at www.healthreform.gov.
If you live in one of the following communities and would like to join a local watch party, please contact us at:
Iowa - Dubuque, Des Moines, Waterloo Missouri - St. Louis New Hampshire - Nashua, Manchester New Mexico - Albuquerque North Carolina - Raleigh Ohio - Ashtabula South Carolina - Columbia
In addition, several of our allied unions are sponsoring events. Currently, we are aware of an AFT-sponsored event in Latham, NY and an event in Las Vegas sponsored by IUPAT. A number of other unions will be sponsoring events, and a more complete list will be available later today.
The live event is scheduled to begin at 11:15 AM on Tuesday and will last one hour.
The President will also be joined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. Topics to be covered will include the $250 checks for seniors caught in the Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" coverage gap, and efforts to combat scams associated with those checks.
The Alliance for Retired Americans awarded 10 scholarships for community-based members to attend the national Alliance convention. They will join over 400 retiree activists in Las Vegas next Monday through Thursday (April 5-8).
Winners include: Dawn Bronsema, Artist Gilbert and Diana Carpenter Madoshi from California (Sharing one scholarship) Sam Burnett from Ohio Jim Collins from New York Suleika Cabrera Drinane from New York Kathleen Kennedy from Arizona Larry Malone from Missouri JoAnne McGaw from Washington state Lithangia Robinson Murray from Georgia Will Parry from Washington state Gerry Rennert from Florida
The 10 scholarships were granted in an effort to defray the costs of the convention for some of the nation's most dedicated and accomplished senior advocates.
Alliance President Barbara Easterling said, “We are very impressed with the work these members have done in their respective states. I am so glad they will join us in Las Vegas to strengthen grassroots democracy for America’s seniors in these troubling economic times.”
The list of accomplishments from some of the scholarship winners is impressive. Will Parry, for example, has served continuously on the Puget Sound Council of Senior Citizens and the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans since his retirement in 1994. Since 2000 he has served as president of the organization – adding value through his impeccable organizing and communications skills. Also, Mr. Parry has served on countless advisory boards for aging, disability and senior service organizations. In 2005, he was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging.
Similarly, Gerald Rennert serves as the Florida Alliance’s Broward County chapter Vice President, where he recently organized two vibrant Community Action Networks. In 2007, he was appointed by Governor Crist to sub-chair an advocacy council monitoring nursing home and long-term care facilities in Florida. He holds countless other leadership positions in local organizations devoted to seniors and veterans. Mr. Rennert said, “I am actively involved in looking out for the welfare of our seniors. I will continue seeking opportunities to grow our groups and to organize new retiree clubs.”
Here's what some of the others had to say:
“I’m interested in helping to solve some of the problems that people face when they leave the workforce and retire. When I return from the convention, I will continue to build our retiree organization in Missouri and help address seniors’ issues." - Larry Malone from Missouri
“The number of seniors is growing and the need for them to have good, reliable information is great. With the Alliance, I work to provide good, reliable information on issues that are relevant to them." - Samuel Burnett of Ohio
A message from Judith Parker of the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans:
Those of us privileged to attend the event in St. Charles, suburban St. Louis, were witness to the President's explicitly clear outline of the importance and urgency of health care reform. He was energetic, dynamic and at times humorous. He pointed out that this is not about politics but rather about the citizens of our country and then called for an 'up or down' vote soon!
The crowds outside the event were respectful and evenly split between supporters and those against reform. Inside, the event was amazingly filled with those who seldom or never had an opportunity to personally see and hear the President. There was great energy but also tears in some eyes - President Obama's eloquence and enthusiasm for the task at home was a strong call to arms for the change and the change leader in our country. It was a perfect day in the small, hot, crowded gymnasium at St. Charles High School!
The President announced an executive order that will beef up efforts to identify and weed out fraud and waste in Medicare and Medicaid. He underscored the need to reform health care now in the light of growing premium costs for employers and workers, growing numbers of uninsured, and insurance market rules that allow those who are sick or have a pre-existing condition to be denied insurance coverage. Obama stressed that he wants every American to have the choice of the same kind of insurance as he and members of Congress have.
On an aside, the local press missed the opportunity to present the arguments so clearly laid out by the President and focused more heavily on the Town Hall Meeting called that morning by Congressman Todd Akin (R) and the rallies at the fund-raiser for Senator McCaskill. The National Press just plain got much of it wrong.
Saturday the US Senatevoted to move forward on debating health insurance reform and seniors nationwide are optimistic about the possibility of a strong health insurance reform making it through the legislative process by end of year or early 2010.
The last several months have been filled with grassroots actions mobilized by savvy seniors in every part of the country.
Last week, Texas labor leader E. Dale Wortham wrote the following which reflects the dire circumstances and hope for the nation as a reform bill progresses:
Finally, health care reform that works. The health reform bill that just passed the House of Representatives is good for Houston and good for America.
America's got health problems, and Texas has more problems than just about anywhere.
Fact: 28 percent of Texans do not have health coverage. That's the highest rate in the country. We're talking about more than 6 million of our neighbors, a big bunch of them here in Houston
Fact: The number of uninsured Texans is climbing. It went up 10 percent last year and is still climbing.
As the holidays approach, Alliance retirees reach out to their elected officials to thank them for supporting health insurance reform so that their families can see a doctor and get their prescriptions filled.
The Alliance's National 2010 Convention will kick-off our efforts to build the grassroots organizing power of retirees for the 2010 elections. Voters across the country will decide who will represent them in Congress and state capitols, and the retiree voice must amount to a mighty roar on Election Day.
Please join us for workshops and training sessions to strengthen our organizing and advocacy skills. We will hear from leading experts in public policy, health care, aging, and the media.
For more information, please use the following links:
