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Friday Alerts

• May 15, 2009 Friday Alert    Coyle Says Not to Overreact to Trustees Reports The financial health of Social Security and Medicare has worsened because of the severe recession, according to Trustees Reports released on Tuesday. However, Alliance leaders cautioned the public not to panic.    more...  
• May 8, 2009 Friday Alert    Alliance's 2008 Voting Record Shows Congress is Becoming More Pro-Senior On Monday, the Alliance released a new report detailing the voting record of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees.    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• May 4, 2009 2008 Voting Record    This past year saw dramatic change come to Washington. Key retiree issues included whether to privatize Social Security, continue the wasteful subsidies under Medicare Advantage, and allow the continuance of the confusing Medicare Part D prescription drug program without the ability to...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• May 1, 2009 Friday Alert    Retirees' Stake in Health Care Reform to be the Theme for Older Americans Month Retirees have a stake in health care reform, and May - Older Americans Month - is when seniors will be driving that point home!    more...  
• Apr 24, 2009 Friday Alert    Medicare Advantage Plans Face Changes in 2010 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently established stricter rules for private insurance companies, effectively cutting subsidies to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by up to 5%.    more...  
• Apr 17, 2009 Friday Alert    Obama Addresses Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security in Economic Speech In a speech at Georgetown University on Tuesday, President Obama assessed economic recovery efforts, linking health care costs to broader economic problems and speaking of the need for health care reform to reign in the...    more...  
• Apr 9, 2009 Friday Alert    Insurance Companies' Medicare Advantage Subsidies Begin to Disappear The Obama administration's plan to rein in private Medicare drug plans began on Monday, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced cuts in payments for private Medicare Advantage plans in 2010.    more...  



Alliance Must-Reads

• Apr 8, 2009 Unemployment Lifeline    The AFL-CIO, Working America and the Working America Education Fund have launched Unemployment LifeLine.com, a Web site to help unemployed people find region-specific information about unemployment insurance, food and heating subsidies, credit counseling and job-training programs -- as well as...    more   



Friday Alerts

• Apr 3, 2009 Friday Alert    Senate Votes Against Entitlement Task Force On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted against an amendment to the fiscal 2010 budget resolution which would have created an Entitlements Task Force to address the long-term funding shortfalls faced by Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and...    more...  
• Mar 27, 2009 Friday Alert    Sen. Specter Comes Out Against the Employee Free Choice Act Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), the only Republican to side with Democrats on the Senate's last vote on union-organizing legislation, announced on Tuesday that he would not vote for this session's bill.    more...  
• Mar 20, 2009 Friday Alert    U.S. House Moves Forward on Health Care Reform Three committee chairmen in the U.S. House have agreed to work together to pass similar health care reform legislation in their committees before the recess in August.    more...  
• Mar 13, 2009 Friday Alert    Possible Social Security Overhaul Generates Renewed Debate Congressional Democrats "are embroiled in a battle behind the scenes over whether a politically treacherous Social Security overhaul has any place in an agenda already stuffed to the gills," according to the publication Roll Call....    more...  
• Mar 6, 2009 Friday Alert    Alliance Participates in White House Health Care Summit President Barack Obama stepped up his effort to pass health-care-reform legislation this week, naming a new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and hosting a White House summit to discuss solutions to the...    more...  
• Feb 27, 2009 Friday Alert    President Unveils New Budget, Slashes Medicare Advantage Overpayments President Obama yesterday released a proposed $3.6 trillion budget designed to cut the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term, while investing heavily in renewable energy, education and comprehensive health...    more...  



Legislation & Politics

• Feb 20, 2009 George J. Kourpias on the Employee Free Choice Act    Why Retirees Should Care About the Employee Free Choice Act   by George J. Kourpias   Unions built the middle class.   By standing together, we fought for and won better wages, health care and pensions, and safety and respect on the job.    ...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 20, 2009 Friday Alert    Barbara Easterling Elected President of the Alliance Barbara J. Easterling was elected President of the Alliance on Thursday, succeeding George J. Kourpias. The vote took place at a meeting of the Alliance's Executive Committee.    more...  


• Feb 13, 2009 Friday Alert Kourpias to Step Down as Alliance Leader, Barbara Easterling to be New President George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans since its inception in 2001, announced this week that he will be retiring. Barbara J. Easterling, the former Secretary-Treasurer of the...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 6, 2009 Friday Alert    Stimulus Vote in Senate May Take Place Tonight This week, the U.S. Senate heatedly debated President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. The bill, introduced in the Senate as S. 1, contains several important provisions that directly affect retirees.    more...  
• Jan 30, 2009 Friday Alert    House Passes Stimulus Package; Senate to Debate Its Version On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1, an $819 billion stimulus package, by a vote of 244-188. While the vote was mostly cast along party lines, the plan's passage is a move toward reviving the economy and marks an early...    more...  
• Jan 23, 2009 Friday Alert    Obama Inauguration Brings Together All Generations On Tuesday, an exuberant crowd braved frigid temperatures to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States. D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty estimated Tuesday's crowd at "roughly" 1.8 million, shattering the...    more...  
• Jan 16, 2009 Friday Alert    U.S. House Stimulus Recovery Package Outline Includes Provisions for Seniors On Thursday, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the outline for the House's $825 billion economic recovery package. The package includes an additional Supplemental...    more...  
• Jan 9, 2009 Friday Alert    Obama Promises Bid to Overhaul Spending on Retiree Programs On Wednesday, President-elect Barack Obama said that overhauling spending on retiree programs would be "a central part" of his administration's efforts to contain the federal budget.    more...  
• Dec 19, 2008 Friday Alert    Auto Industry to Receive $17.4 Billion in Government Loans On Friday, the White House announced a $17.4 billion loan package for the Detroit automakers that allows them to avoid bankruptcy and leaves many of the big decisions for the Obama administration.    more...  


• Dec 12, 2008 Friday Alert President-Elect Obama Officially Presents Tom Daschle as Secretary of HHS On Thursday, Barack Obama presented former Senator Tom Daschle as his choice to become Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as to lead efforts to secure "affordable, accessible health care...    more...  
• Dec 5, 2008 Friday Alert Renewed Hope for Key Legislation in Senate Though they are two votes short of their quest for 60 votes - with Minnesota's Senate race still undecided - Democrats say that regular support from a few Republican moderates will allow them to pass bills that were halted in the current Congress...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Nov 21, 2008 Friday Alert    Alliance Calls for Federal Loan to Auto Industry Last Friday, the Alliance Executive Board voted unanimously to join labor and business groups in urging Congress and the White House to provide emergency financial assistance to the U.S. auto industry.    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Nov 20, 2008 Auto Industry Loan    The Alliance for Retired Americans urges senators to vote for the legislation to provide bridge loans to the American automobile industry. This legislation is vital for the industry as well as retirees' pensions and health benefits.    more...  
• Nov 20, 2008 National Senior and Disability Advocates Agree on Principles for Financing Long-Term Services and Supports    In a historic step toward a healthier, more equitable and affordable system for financing long-term services and supports, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) have agreed on a set of joint principles for reform.    more...  


• Nov 14, 2008 Friday Alert Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Open Enrollment Season Starts Next Week Seniors may begin to change their Medicare Part-D insurance plans beginning November 15, during the six-week enrollment period that ends December 31.    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Nov 14, 2008 Alliance Resolution on Second Economic Stimulus    At its national board meeting on November 14, the Alliance for Retired Americans passed a resolution calling upon Congress to enact a second economic stimulus as quickly as possible.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Nov 7, 2008 Friday Alert    Barack Obama is Elected President; Democrats Gain Seats in House, Senate Sen. Barack Obama was elected the nation�s 44th President on Tuesday night, winning the popular vote over Sen. John McCain, 52.3% - 46.4%.    more...  
• Oct 31, 2008 Friday Alert    Election Day is Upon Us � Please Do Your Part George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans, says, "It is time for voters to decide once again what kind of country we want..."    more...  
• Oct 24, 2008 Friday Alert    Alliance Activity Reaches a Crescendo as Election Nears Monday was the first day of early voting in Florida, and the Alliance for Retired Americans commemorated the day by hosting an ice cream social with Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in Palm Beach.    more...  


• Oct 17, 2008 Friday Alert Benefits for Social Security Recipients, Federal Retirees to Increase by 5.8% Following a year of rising food and energy prices, benefits for Social Security recipients and federal government retirees will see a 5.8% increase, the largest cost-of-living adjustment since 1982, in 2009.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Oct 10, 2008 Friday Alert    McCain Health Plan Would Cut Medicare by 22% The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Senator John McCain�s health plan would be financed through $1.3 trillion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid over 10 years. According to the Tax Policy Center, this would be a 22% cut in both programs.    more...  
• Oct 3, 2008 Friday Alert    State Voter Registration Deadlines Begin October 4 - Tell Your Friends! In the upcoming Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections, seniors could be the key! Please make sure you and everyone you know is registered to vote. Most state deadlines for registering for the November 4th...    more...  
• Sep 26, 2008 Friday Alert    Retiree Roadrunner Van Wraps Up First Trip to Ohio � Missouri is Next! On Monday, the Retiree Roadrunner van completed its first Ohio trip with a stop in Columbus. Wrapped in red, white and blue roadrunner graphics, the Alliance�s eight-passenger Retiree Roadrunner vans are traveling across...    more...  
• Sep 19, 2008 Friday Alert    Retiree Roadrunner Van Makes Its First Run in Ohio Wrapped in red, white and blue roadrunner graphics, the Alliance�s eight-passenger Retiree Roadrunner vans are traveling across the nation, carrying with them information on Social Security, economic security, and voter protection for...    more...  
• Sep 12, 2008 Friday Alert    Alliance�s Retiree Roadrunner Vans Hit the Asphalt on Behalf of Seniors Alliance for Retired Americans members who built the American Dream - steel workers, veterans, and retired teachers - want dignity in retirement, and the Alliance is hitting the road to protect it! The Retiree...    more...  
• Sep 5, 2008 Friday Alert    Republican Convention Platform Raises Concerns The Republican Party held its nominating convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota this week, officially nominating Sen. John McCain of Arizona for President and Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska to be Vice President. As a U.S. Senator, McCain has...    more...  
• Aug 29, 2008 Friday Alert    Democratic Conventioneers Agree: �Yes We Can!� At a gathering that stressed unity, highly energized and impassioned delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver officially named Sen. Barack Obama their nominee for President of the United States.    more...  


• Aug 22, 2008 Friday Alert Medicare Beneficiaries Face 12 Percent Hike in 2009 Drug Premiums According to a report by the Associated Press, the average Medicare Part D beneficiary will face a 12% monthly premium increase in 2009. Federal government projections show the cost of standard drug coverage rising $3, to $28...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Aug 15, 2008 Friday Alert    Social Security Celebrates 73rd Birthday, Alliance Fights for 73 More From Oregon to Florida, the Alliance celebrated Social Security�s 73rd birthday with 25 grassroots events lauding the program that has kept millions of Americans out of poverty and by promising to continue fighting...    more...  
• Aug 8, 2008 Friday Alert    Have a Voter Rights Issue? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires all polling sites to have at least one voting system designated for use by disabled voters. However, one disabled voter in Missouri has had to spend two hours at the polls each time she voted in 2006,...    more...  
• Aug 1, 2008 Friday Alert    Guiding Principles for Medicare Released as Program Celebrates its 43rd Birthday The Alliance marked the 43rd birthday of Medicare on Wednesday with celebrations around the country and the release of a comprehensive roadmap for the program�s future in Washington, DC.    more...  
• Jul 25, 2008 Friday Alert    Alliance Members Tell John McCain Social Security is not �A Disgrace� Alliance members from coast to coast spent the last week combating Sen. John McCain�s recent comment that Social Security is an �absolute disgrace� and calling on the Senator to return his own Social Security checks.    more...  
• Jul 18, 2008 Friday Alert    President Vetoes Medicare Bill; Congress Quickly Overrides Tuesday, President Bush vetoed H.R. 6331, the �Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008�. Congress quickly acted to override the veto; the House voted 383-41 (Roll Call No. 491) for the override, while the Senate...    more...  
• Jul 11, 2008 Friday Alert    Senate Vote Strengthens Medicare On July 9, the U.S. Senate voted to rescind cuts in Medicare reimbursements to physicians, scale back subsidies to private Medicare Advantage providers, and expand health care coverage for low-income seniors. Defying a White House veto threat, the Senate...    more...  
• Jul 3, 2008 Friday Alert    Senate to Vote Again on H.R. 6331, Medicare Bill That Fell Short by One Vote After opponents of H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," were able to prevent the measure from coming up for a vote last week, the Bush administration moved on Monday to...    more...  
• Jun 27, 2008 Friday Alert    Medicare Bill to Help Seniors Falls One Vote Short in Senate In the Senate on Thursday night, supporters of H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," fell one vote short of the 60 needed to close debate and bring the measure up for a vote.    more...  
• Jun 20, 2008 Friday Alert    Seniors' Votes May Be the Key to Victory in 2008 According to CNN political analyst Bill Schneider, "We're going to see an age division in this election bigger than we have usually seen."    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Jun 17, 2008 Alliance Resolution to Hold Down Energy Costs    At its national board meeting on June 17, the Alliance for Retired Americans passed a resolution calling on Congress to act immediately to hold down energy costs.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jun 13, 2008 Friday Alert    Medicare Bill that Would Have Helped Seniors Fails to Gain Enough Support On Thursday, the U.S. Senate did not reach the 60 votes needed for cloture on S. 3101, the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008."    more...  
• Jun 6, 2008 Friday Alert    Competing Medicare Bills Proposed in Senate Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have released competing Medicare proposals to prevent the 10.6 percent cut to physician payments that is scheduled to take effect July 1.    more...  
• May 30, 2008 Friday Alert    Administration Threatens to Veto Medicare Bill That Does Not Protect Insurers According to the Associated Press, the Bush administration is threatening to veto any legislation that protects doctors' Medicare payments at the expense of private insurers.    more...  
• May 23, 2008 Friday Alert    Medicare Changes May Address Doctor Payments, Nursing Home Deficiencies On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee met to discuss upcoming Medicare legislation, including tighter rules for Medicare Advantage plans.    more...  
• May 16, 2008 Friday Alert    Advertising, Better Treatments Lead to Greatest Use of Prescription Drugs Ever For the first time, it appears that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, a new study shows.    more...  
• May 9, 2008 Friday Alert    State Regulators Seek Greater Authority to Oversee Medicare Advantage Plans The New York Times reported on Monday that state officials will soon ask Congress for more power to regulate the marketing of private Medicare insurance plans to seniors.    more...  
• May 2, 2008 Friday Alert    Release of New Voting Record Commemorates Start of Older Americans Month Marking the beginning of Older Americans Month, the new 2007 congressional voting record released on May 1 by the Alliance details the voting record of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting...    more...  


• May 1, 2008 Voting Record Press Release 2008 Marking the beginning of Older Americans Month, the new 2007 congressional voting record released today by the Alliance for Retired Americans details the voting record of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Apr 25, 2008 Friday Alert    Call to Action for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries is Coming Soon The Senate is moving quickly to craft a bill that will address a scheduled cut in Medicare payments to physicians, and the bill is also likely to include other Medicare changes.    more...  
• Apr 21, 2008 Friday Alert    Northeastern Regional Meeting Coincides with Pennsylvania's Primary On Thursday and Friday of last week, the Alliance held its Northeastern Regional Meeting - the second of four regional meetings - in Philadelphia, PA. Gerald McEntee, President of the American Federation of State, County,...    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• Apr 20, 2008 2007 Voting Record    Click here to download the 2007 Voting Record This past year retirees saw a new Congress come to Washington. The great wave of voter discontent in 2006 led by retirees, who vote in the greatest numbers, elected new majorities to both houses of Congress. For retirees and older Americans, the...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Apr 11, 2008 Friday Alert    Tax Filing Deadline Has Added Significance for Retirees This Year Tuesday, April 15th is the regular deadline for filing taxes, and the date holds special implications for seniors in 2008. Up to 20 million Americans who rely primarily on Social Security income qualify for an economic...    more...  
• Apr 4, 2008 Friday Alert    Prescription Drug Prices Becoming More Unbearable as Economy Slides People with health insurance are having more trouble paying for prescription drugs as higher out-of-pocket costs for medications and a slowing economy strain family budgets, according to surveys and health care analysts.    more...  
• Mar 28, 2008 Friday Alert    Western Regional Meeting is Pronounced a Success! Monday through Wednesday of this week, the Alliance held its Western Regional Meeting - the first of four regional meetings in 2008 - in Las Vegas, Nevada.    more...  
• Mar 20, 2008 Friday Alert    Retirement Security of Bear Stearns Employees Up in the Air Sunday’s sale of Bear Stearns, the nation’s fifth largest investment bank, to J.P. Morgan Chase for $2 per share has not only shaken financial markets, but also left the retirement of many of the company’s 14,000 employees up...    more...  



Alliance Must-Reads

• Mar 17, 2008 Open Letter to Retirees    Letter from Alliance President George J. Kourpias    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 14, 2008 Friday Alert    New Hampshire Alliance Members Greet Sen. McCain with Protests… On the eve of Senator John McCain's Tuesday visit to Exeter, New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans united outside the Concord Legislative Office Building to protest his plan for Social Security...    more...  
• Mar 7, 2008 Friday Alert    John McCain Restates Support for Social Security Privatization In an interview appearing in the March 3 edition of The Wall Street Journal , John McCain restated his support for the privatization of Social Security, saying, “As part of Social Security reform, I believe that private savings...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Mar 4, 2008 LCAO Joint Statement for Mark-up of Senate Budget    Last month, President Bush submitted his Fiscal Year 2009 budget, which proposes severe cuts to Medicare, totaling $178 billion over the next five years, $556 billion over the next 10 years, and more than $10 trillion over the next 75 years.    more...  
• Mar 4, 2008 LCAO Joint Statement for Mark-up of House Budget    Last month, President Bush submitted his Fiscal Year 2009 budget, which proposes severe cuts to Medicare, totaling $178 billion over the next five years, $556 billion over the next 10 years, and more than $10 trillion over the next 75 years.    more...  
• Mar 4, 2008 Caring for an Aging America Act    U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has introduced the Caring for an Aging America Act, legislation aimed at addressing the crisis in providing care for a senior population that is projected to almost double over the next 25 years. The Boxer bill is endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans.    more   



Friday Alerts

• Feb 29, 2008 Friday Alert    Medicare Advantage Plans Costing Many Seniors More A report issued yesterday by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative bureau, revealed that out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are often much higher than for recipients of traditional Medicare,...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Feb 27, 2008 Letter to Congress on Federal Budget Priorities    Sign-on letter from the Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities urging Congress to adopt a budget resolution that reverses drastic cuts and invests in services to protect people and communities from serious loss while giving them tools to rebuild and grow. This letter will be distributed to...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 22, 2008 Friday Alert    Seniors Must File Federal Tax Returns in Order to Receive Stimulus Checks In 2008, up to 20 million Americans who rely primarily on Social Security income will qualify for an economic stimulus check from the federal government. Generally, people need more than $3,000 in 2007 income to...    more...  
• Feb 15, 2008 Friday Alert 2/15/08    Two D.C. Events Spotlight Bush Budget Cuts for Seniors The Alliance joined the American Federation of Government Employees and Americans United for Change on Monday in calling on lawmakers to fully fund the Social Security Administration (SSA) and pass legislation giving Congress more control...    more...  
• Feb 8, 2008 Friday Alert 2/8/08    Super Tuesday Leaves Clinton, Obama, and McCain with the Most Delegates More than 14.6 million Democrats and 9 million Republicans went to the polls on Tuesday to pick their parties’ nominees for President. As of Thursday, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) held an 85-delegate lead over Sen....    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Feb 5, 2008 Stimulus Letter to Senate    The Alliance for Retired Americans, on behalf of its more than three million members throughout the nation, urges you to vote for a stimulus plan that includes stimulus payments to 20 million Social Security recipients not currently covered in the House-passed plan of H.R. 5140. Social Security...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 1, 2008 Friday Alert 2/1/08    State of the Union and FY ’09 Budget Offers Seniors Little Only 159 words were devoted to health care in President Bush’s State of the Union address Monday night, in which he asked Congress for new suggestions on Social Security and Medicare. With health care and prescription drug costs...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Jan 30, 2008 LCAO Stimulus Letter    The undersigned members of the LCAO are concerned that the plan for a stimulus package currently under consideration by Congress does not include three significant provisions. Stimulus payments are only being considered for those who have “taxable income” or “earned income”. This...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 25, 2008 Friday Alert 1/25/08    State of the Union Address Likely to Reveal Bush’s Vision for Seniors in ’08 President Bush will give his 2008 State of the Union address Monday night at 9:00 PM EST. He is expected to discuss ongoing efforts to stimulate the economy, and will likely reveal his proposal for changing the...    more...  
• Jan 18, 2008 Friday Alert 1/18/08    February 5th Shaping Up To Be Historic Day in Race for U.S. President Democrats will hold contests in 22 states and one territory on February 5, known as Super Tuesday, while Republicans have scheduled contests in 21 states for that day. According to The Washington Post , 52% of all pledged...    more...  
• Jan 11, 2008 Friday Alert 1/11/08    Senators Hillary Clinton, John McCain Win New Hampshire Primaries Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain won the Democratic and Republican New Hampshire presidential primaries on Tuesday night. Older voters overwhelmingly outnumbered younger voters, a proportion that benefited Sen....    more...  
• Jan 4, 2008 Friday Alert 1/4/08    Sen. Obama, Former Gov. Huckabee Win Iowa Caucuses Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) won the Iowa caucuses last night, gaining victories in the first contests for the Democratic and Republican nominations for U.S. President in 2008. "The high turnout shows how...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Dec 28, 2007 LCAO SSA Letter    On behalf of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), we, the undersigned organizations are writing to submit our comments to Docket No. SSA-2007-0044, which specifically contemplates proposed regulatory changes to ALJ, Appeals Council, and Decision Review Board appeals levels of the...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 21, 2007 December 21, 2007    Budget and Medicare Bills Passed: Implications for Seniors Before leaving Washington, for a holiday recess, Congress increased funding for Social Security and protected physicians from receiving cuts in their Medicare payments, but did not stop the overpayments made to Medicare Advantage plans.    more...  
• Dec 14, 2007 December 14, 2007    More Than 3 Million Seniors Will Fall into Donut Hole Next Year More seniors than ever are expected to fall into the Medicare Part D “donut hole” next year, the coverage gap in which beneficiaries must pay the full cost of their prescription drugs. More than 3 million out of 24 million...    more...  
• Dec 7, 2007 December 7, 2007    Alliance Members Protest Medicare Advantage Private Insurer Subsidies On Tuesday, the White House delivered a “stern” letter to senators writing a year-end Medicare bill, threatening a veto if lawmakers do not comply with their demands to continue subsidizing private insurance companies...    more...  
• Nov 30, 2007 November 30, 2007    Latest Information on Premiums Can Help Seniors Choose Their Drug Plan A new report has just been released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) on the rising cost of prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D. CEPR’s report includes a state-by-state breakdown on the...    more...  
• Nov 16, 2007 November 16, 2007    Bush Still Giving Congress Fits With Vetoes That Deny Health Care As the week ended, Congress was still trying to deal with vetoes by President Bush on two major health care bills. According to The New York Times, congressional efforts to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Nov 14, 2007 Nursing Home Letter to Senate Finance Committee    Sign-on letter from the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, urging improved transparency, accountability, and staffing throughout the nursing home industry. Similar letters were sent to the Senate Special Committee on Aging and the House Committee on Ways and Means.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Nov 9, 2007 November 9, 2007    Beneficiaries Can Change Medicare Part D Plans Beginning Next Week According to the Associated Press, approximately 2 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who do not pay monthly premiums will have their prescription drug plans automatically switched next year, while others will have to...    more...  
• Nov 2, 2007 November 2, 2007    As SCHIP Funding Deadline Nears, Obstructionists Still Standing Together The Senate on Thursday held its latest vote on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the outcome was similar to past roll calls. The Senate voted to pass H.R. 3963, 64-30, and President Bush...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Oct 30, 2007 SSA Funding Sign-On Letter    We respectfully request that during conference negotiations on the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that you accept the Senate recommended level for SSA administrative funding of $9.872 billion which represents a $275 million increase...  



Friday Alerts

• Oct 26, 2007 October 26, 2007    SCHIP Passes the House Again On Thursday, the House voted 265-142 to pass H.R. 3963, a revised version of H.R. 976, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization. Like the original version, vetoed by the President on October 3rd, H.R. 3963 continues to provide...    more...  
• Oct 19, 2007 October 19, 2007    SCHIP Veto Override Attempt Falls Short By a vote of 273-156, an attempt to override President Bush’s veto of expanded funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) failed on Thursday. The tally left Democrats 13 votes short of the two-thirds majority of 286 needed to...    more...  
• Oct 12, 2007 October 12, 2007    U.S. House to Attempt Override of SCHIP Veto on Thursday President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization bill last Wednesday set off a massive political fight that is expected to continue dominating Congress next week. In advance of the House...    more...  
• Oct 5, 2007 October 5, 2007    President Bush Vetoes Health Insurance for Children On Wednesday morning, President Bush vetoed a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), H.R. 976, which would have added $35 billion to the program over five years and covered an additional four million children....    more...  
• Sep 28, 2007 September 28, 2007    General Motors Strike Ends The United Auto Workers (UAW), which had gone on strike at all of General Motors' (GM’s) U.S. plants on Monday, began returning to work on Wednesday. A proposed new contract allows GM to shift $51 billion in liabilities for UAW retiree health care to an independent...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Sep 25, 2007 Long Term Care Senate Hearing Testimony    The Alliance for Retired Americans commends the Senate Finance Committee for holding a hearing on expanding options for home and community-based services in longterm care (LTC). During the past several decades, advocates and policymakers have attempted to bring long-term care to the forefront of...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Sep 21, 2007 September 21, 2007    Alliance Members Tell Congress to Stop Medicare Advantage Overpayments Alliance members have already sent 3,700 e-mails to their members of Congress since being asked Tuesday to help stop overpayments to Medicare Advantage (MA) insurance companies. “Thank you to everyone who contacted their...    more...  



Government and Political Affairs

• Sep 14, 2007 Home Health Care Workers Letter to Sen. Harkin    The need for long-term care workers, particularly home health care workers, is immense today—approximately 13 million Americans require some long-term care assistance in their home. This need is expected to double during the coming decades as the baby boomers age.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Sep 14, 2007 September 14, 2007    GAO Audit Shows Insurers Benefiting Excessively from Medicare Advantage Private insurance companies participating in Medicare have been allowed to keep tens of millions of dollars that should have gone to consumers, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report and Monday’s...    more...  
• Sep 10, 2007 September 10, 2007    More Than 600 Retirees Lobby Congress on Medicare and Social Security With a theme of “Building for America’s Future,” more than 600 Alliance members descended on Washington D.C. last week to map out an ambitious grassroots campaign for mobilizing seniors around threats to Medicare and...    more...  
• Aug 31, 2007 August 31, 2007    Census Announces New Figures Regarding the Uninsured… The number of those without health insurance is rising, according to the Census Bureau's annual snapshot of American living standards. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that nine million people have been added to the ranks...    more...  
• Aug 24, 2007 August 24, 2007    Report Card Shows Seniors Pay More Under Part D Than Under Other Drug Plans Older Americans in Medicare's Part D prescription drug program are more likely to pay at least $300 a month for medicines than those on other plans, a study published Tuesday by the journal Health Affairs has found....    more...  
• Aug 17, 2007 August 17, 2007    U.S. is only 42nd in Life Expectancy Americans are living longer than ever, but not as long as people in 41 other countries, the Associated Press reported on Sunday. For decades, the United States has been slipping in international rankings of life expectancy, as other countries improve...    more...  
• Aug 10, 2007 August 10, 2007    Alliance Member Speaks for Millions of Americans on Health Care On August 7, Steve Skvara, a disabled, retired steelworker from Indiana, personalized the problem with health care in America. Representing the millions of American workers who have lost their pensions and health care in...    more...  
• Aug 3, 2007 August 3, 2007    House Medicare Advantage Vote a Victory for Seniors On Wednesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3162, “The Children’s Health and Medicare Act of 2007,” by a 225-204 vote. The legislation expands the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a federal...    more...  
• Jul 27, 2007 July 27, 2007    Alliance Members Mobilize As Medicare Advantage Legislation Moves Alliance members sent more than 800 e-mails to their Members of Congress in just the first 24 hours of being asked last week to help stop overpayments to Medicare Advantage (MA) insurance companies. Alliance retirees also came...    more...  
• Jul 20, 2007 July 20, 2007    Monday is National Call-in Day for Stopping Medicare Advantage Overpayments Your U.S. Representative needs to hear from informed seniors! Please join other Alliance members across the country by calling your Representative on Monday and urging support for legislation that would create a...    more...  
• Jul 13, 2007 July 13, 2007    Medicare Advantage Takes Center Stage Save the date! Monday, July 23 will be a national call-in day to Capitol Hill, as Alliance members are urged to demand an end to federal subsidies for insurance companies offering “Medicare Advantage” plans.    more...  



Strengthening Social Security

• Jul 11, 2007 Saving Social Security Video       more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jul 6, 2007 July 6, 2007    Medicare Advantage, Re-importation Votes Coming Soon Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate could vote this month to cut overpayments to Medicare Advantage private insurance plans, in order to make improvements to the Part D drug plan and expand children’s health...    more...  
• Jun 29, 2007 June 29, 2007    Road to Privatizing Medicare Hits a Pothole On Wednesday, the Alliance came out in support of H.R. 2945, the “Medicare Advantage Truth in Advertising Act,” which was introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. In a...    more...  
• Jun 22, 2007 June 22, 2007    Senate Set to Vote on Employee Free Choice Act Alliance members participated in a 4,500-person rally at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, supporting passage in the U.S. Senate of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Such passage would allow workers to join a union by signing a card, thereby...    more...  
• Jun 15, 2007 June 15, 2007    109th Congress Disappointed Seniors in 2006, Alliance Voting Record Reveals Many of the lawmakers who did the most damage to the health and economic well-being of America’s seniors during the second session of the 109th Congress no longer hold office, according to the results of the Alliance...    more...  
• Jun 8, 2007 June 8, 2007    Campaign is Launched to Stop the Privatization of Medicare On Thursday, leading Medicare experts and advocates launched a campaign at the U.S. Capitol to stop the privatization of Medicare. The reason behind the campaign is a secret effort to privatize Medicare by the Bush Administration,...    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• Jun 8, 2007 2006 Voting Record    In 2006, Congress enacted legislation that again contributed to record level spending deficits and deepened the nation's budget and fiscal crisis. By November, retirees made their feelings known at the polls.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jun 1, 2007 June 1, 2007    Long Term Care Under Congressional Scrutiny According to The New York Times, a Congressional committee last week began looking into business practices in the long-term care insurance industry. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has asked Conseco and the Penn Treaty American...    more...  
• May 25, 2007 May 25, 2007    Rep. Stark Takes on Insurance Industry The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on Tuesday on private Medicare Advantage fee-for-service plans, leading Congress one step closer to cracking down on private insurance companies. Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, (D-CA) chairman of...    more...  
• May 18, 2007 May 18, 2007    Chrysler Deal Brings Retiree Health Care Issue to the Front and Center DaimlerChrysler announced on Monday that Cerberus Capital Management would pay $7.45 billion for an 80 percent stake in Chrysler, Detroit’s third-biggest automaker. Cerberus has specialized in buying distressed businesses...    more...  
• May 11, 2007 May 11, 2007    Senate’s FDA Bill Will Not Allow Consumers to Re-import Prescription Drugs By a vote of 93 to 1, the Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new power to police drug safety, regulate advertising and restrict the use and distribution of...    more...  
• May 4, 2007 May 4, 2007    U.S. Senate Clears Way for Prescription Drug Reimportation Votes The Senate broke a filibuster Thursday by a 63-28 vote on Sen. Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) amendment to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization bill that would permit the legal reimportation of prescription drugs....    more...  
• Apr 27, 2007 April 27, 2007    Administration Uses Trustees Reports to Scare Seniors The trust funds for Social Security and Medicare will last a year longer than previously estimated, trustees said Monday. The trustees report that Social Security is solvent through the year 2041, and Medicare is solvent through 2019.    more...  
• Apr 20, 2007 April 20, 2007    Senate Blocks Effort to Lower Medicare Costs On April 18, the U.S. Senate blocked consideration of a bill, S. 3, to remove the prohibition on Medicare negotiating price discounts with the pharmaceutical companies. It would also have forced drug plan providers to reveal currently secret...    more...  
• Apr 16, 2007 Medicare Showdown in U.S. Senate: Take Action Now    On April 12, the Senate Finance Committee voted 13-8 in favor of a bill, S. 3, removing the prohibition on Medicare negotiating price discounts with the pharmaceutical companies.  It would also force drug plan providers to reveal currently secret pricing data to government...    more...  
• Apr 5, 2007 April 5, 2007    Bush Makes Pro-Privatization Recess Appointment at SSA On Wednesday, President Bush announced his intention to appoint Andrew Biggs to be Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) while Congress is in recess.  Biggs, who wrote extensively while at the CATO...    more...  
• Mar 30, 2007 March 30, 2007    Insurance Companies Caught Denying Care to the Most Vulnerable Seniors Interviews by The New York Times and confidential depositions indicate that some long-term-care insurers have developed procedures that make it nearly impossible for policyholders to be paid. A review of more than 400...    more...  



Long Term Care

• Mar 29, 2007 March 29, 2007    Whereas long-term care covers a range of services in a variety of settings; and Whereas 10 million Americans of all ages living in communities and nursing homes have significant limitations in activities of daily living because of illness or disability and need personal assistance or...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 23, 2007 March 23, 2007    U.S. Senate Rejects Medicare Cuts The Senate on Thursday easily defeated a bid by conservative Republicans to curb the growth of the Medicare program as debate on a $2.9 trillion budget outline for 2008 entered its third day. The 74-27 vote on Medicare dismissed a bid by Sen. John Cornyn...    more...  


• Mar 16, 2007 Friday Alert - March 16, 2007 CDC Report Examines Overall Health of Older Americans The cost of caring for aging Americans will add 25 percent to the nation's health care bill by 2030 unless people act now to stay healthy, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week in a Reuters article.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 16, 2007 March 16, 2007    CDC Report Examines Overall Health of Older Americans; Bush Administration Disagrees with Health Care Report Recommendations; 2008 Senate Races: Never Too Early for Election News; Employee Free Choice Act Update; Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren Face Variety of Challenges    more...  
• Mar 9, 2007 March 9, 2007    Most Willing to Pay More in Exchange for Universal Health Care; CMS Official Against Releasing Medicare Data; Alternative to Nursing Homes Can Be Risky; Bad Week for Drug and Insurance Companies’ Public Relations; Did You Know…    more...  
• Mar 2, 2007 March 2, 2007    Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) Passes in the House; Study Examines Reasons Behind High U.S. Health Care Costs; Older Retirees Head North; Ohio Senior Voice Conference Ties 2006 Election Results to Legislative Advances; Alliance Poll Results: Medicare Will Not Negotiate Drug Prices Anytime Soon;...    more...  
• Feb 23, 2007 February 23, 2007    Health Care Spending May Rise to One-Fifth of All U.S. Expenditures; Access to Generic Drugs May Be Expedited; National Spending on Rx Drugs Slows by 0.4%; Disagreement over Whether Most Are Saving Enough for Retirement; Grandparents Denied Military Death Benefit    more...  
• Feb 16, 2007 February 16, 2007    President Bush: Caught Telling the Truth?; Rep. Waxman Launches Broad Probe of Drug Price Fraud; Senate Finance Panel Will Not Consider Bush’s Social Security Nominee; West Virginia Retirees Fight for Their Financial Interests; New Industry Formed to Handle Arguments with Insurance Companies    more...  
• Feb 9, 2007 February 9, 2007    Bush Budget Takes a Bite out of Medicare, Medicaid; Paper Ballot Requirements Make Progress; Bush vs. His Own Treasury Secretaries on Social Security Changes; Is Big Brother in Your Medicine Cabinet?; Labor Loses Great Leader; Did You Know…    more...  
• Feb 2, 2007 February 2, 2007    Is Your Representative or Senator a Committee Chair?; Colorado Measure to Save at Least $1.6 Million Yearly on Medicaid Drug Purchases; Health Plan Deduction Would Lower Social Security Benefits; Budget Proposals Would Cut Medicare and Medicaid    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Jan 29, 2007 Social Security Talking Points    Spread the word!  Here's what to tell your friends who want to know more about Social Security privatization and why it's a dangerous idea.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 26, 2007 January 26, 2007    Many Not Impressed by President's State of the Union Address; Alliance Activists' Petition Delivery Coincides with State of the Union; CMS to Correct Erroneous Withholding of Medicare Part D Premiums; Senators Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Overhaul Medicare and Social Security; Alliance People in...    more...  
• Jan 19, 2007 January 19, 2007    Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke Weighs in on Social Security and Medicare; President’s State of the Union Address Likely to Include Social Security; Senate May End Deals Between Drug Companies That Delay Generic Alternatives; Republicans Face Dissension in the Ranks; Some Baby Boomers...    more...  
• Jan 12, 2007 January 12, 2007    Medicare Price Negotiation Vote Passes in House By Wide Margin; Major Social Security Changes Unlikely in the Immediate Future; Bipartisan Re-importation Legislation Introduced in the Senate and House; New Congress Showing Fiscal Restraint; Alliance People in the News; Did You Know…    more...  
• Jan 5, 2007 January 5, 2007    New Congress Begins to Carry Out Its Agenda; Drug Plan Changes for 2007: Shock and Awe; Happy New Year from Humana; Steelworkers Strike Ends at Goodyear; Drug Industry on the Defense    more...  
• Dec 21, 2006 December 21, 2006    One of Speaker Hastert’s Final Acts Benefits Insurers; President Bush to Reach Across the Aisle on Social Security?; Most Will Keep the Same Medicare Part D Plan in 2007; Faulty Assumptions that Affect Retirement Security; Seniors Living in Better Health than Ever Before; Did You Know…    more...  
• Dec 15, 2006 December 15, 2006    Senate Republican Leader Announces Plans to Oppose Negotiating Drug Prices; Employers – Including Goodyear - Take Aim at Retiree Health Care Benefits; Electronic Voting Process Will Include More Paper Trails in ’08; Mandatory Retirement Age Policies Get a Closer Look; Field Activity; Did You...    more...  
• Dec 12, 2006 December 12, 2006    SPECIAL EDITION - RETIREE HEALTH CARE AT STAKE    more...  
• Dec 8, 2006 December 8, 2006    New Congress Makes Plans for First 100 Hours in 2007…; …But Current Congress is Leaving Behind Some Unfinished Business; Alliance to Release White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) Report; Private Medicare More Expensive than Traditional Medicare; Trouble Again This January for Medicare Part...    more...  
• Dec 1, 2006 December 1, 2006    Higher Percentage of Seniors Voted for Democrats in ’06 Than in ’04; CMS Ad Deceives Readers; Drug Industry Braces for Change; Bush’s Scaled-Down Plans for Social Security – Another Scheme Underway?; Health Insurance Premiums Rise with Executives’ Pay; Alliance Loses Strong Supporter    more...  
• Nov 17, 2006 November 17, 2006    Bush Administration Vows to Block Negotiation of Drug Prices; Part D Shopping Season; PBGC Narrows Pension Deficit by $4.7 Billion; Democrats Choose House Leadership for 110th Congress; Alliance Activities and Leadership Travel    more...  
• Nov 9, 2006 November 9, 2006    U.S. House and Senate Under New Management!; Alliance Members Come Through; Public Warned About Social Security Scam; Alliance Members Prove to be Good Political Analysts    more...  
• Nov 3, 2006 November 3, 2006    As Election Day Arrives, Republicans Try Not to Talk About Scandals, Part D; Specific Voting Rights Questions Answered;�Medicare Handbook Said to Mislead; New Rules on Patient Safety; Alliance Activities and Leadership Travel    more...  
• Oct 27, 2006 October 27, 2006    Bush's Social Security Privatization Remarks Dismay Some in Own Party; Part D Auto-Enrollment for 632,000 Medicare Beneficiaries Ends; Specific Voting Rights Questions Answered; Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Steps up Contributions; Alliance Activities and Leadership...    more...  
• Oct 20, 2006 October 20, 2006    Part D Failures Examined in New Report by Pennsylvania Alliance; Social Security COLA Increases by 3.3%; Wal-Mart Expands Drug Program; Know Your Voting Rights; Alliance Activities and Leadership Travel; Did You Know…    more...  
• Oct 13, 2006 October 13, 2006    As New Report Shows Senior Vote Will Be Crucial in November; GOP Braces for Losses; Know Your Voting Rights; Settlement Forces Major Restructuring of Rx Drug-Pricing System; Alliance Activities Across the Country; Did You Know    more...  
• Oct 6, 2006 October 6, 2006    Key House Race Update; Know Your Voting Rights; U.S. Customs to Stop Seizing Canadian Medicines; Medicare Part D From Entirely Different Points of View; Alliance Activities Across the Country; Alliance Thanks Ally for Lifelong Dedication    more...  
• Oct 5, 2006 Voter Protection    A list of downloadable documents containing voter protection information    more...  
• Sep 29, 2006 September 29, 2006    Another Suspicious Privatization Attempt; U.S. Senate Up for Grabs?; Judge Orders Medicare Not to Collect Incorrect Payments Sent to Beneficiaries; New Voting Technology Brings Complications; Alliance Activities Across the Country    more...  
• Sep 22, 2006 September 22, 2006    Donut Hole Week a Bevy of Alliance Activity; Wal-Mart Sets $4 Price for Many Generic Drugs; WHCoA Report Is Like the Conference: A Whitewash; Medicare Rate Hike Not Being Taken Lying Down; New Voter ID Requirements Could Throw More Wrenches into Voting Process; Travel; Labor Loses a Friend    more...  
• Sep 15, 2006 September 15, 2006    Medicare Changes: Increased Fees for Everyone – Not Just the Wealthy; Bush Promise to Privatize Social Security Not Forgotten; GOP Plans More Negative Ads Than Ever; Donut Hole Day Quickly Approaching; Alliance to Enhance Community-Based Activities; Did You Know…    more...  
• Sep 11, 2006 September 11, 2006    Retirees Gathered in Washington Vow Aggressive Campaign to Mobilize Seniors; George Kourpias, Ruben Burks Re-Elected to Lead Alliance; Activists Deliver Donuts to Capitol Hill Offices; Social Security Rally Draws Large Crowd; Conventioneers Inspired by Several Notable Speakers; Calling All...    more...  
• Sep 1, 2006 September 1, 2006    Trial Lawyers Get the Word Out on High Prescription Drug Costs…; …while Drug Industry Quietly Pays for Ads Thanking Congressional Benefactors; Two New Issue Briefs Available; Schering-Plough Admits Wrongdoing, Shells out $435 Million to Settle Charges; Who’s Watching the Children?; Rep....    more...  


• Aug 29, 2006 How to Read the Record Use the following key to determine how your Senators and Representative voted. Democrat (D) Republican (R) Independent (I) + Announced...    more...  
• Aug 29, 2006 How to Read the Record Use the following key to determine how your Senators and Representative voted. Democrat (D) Republican (R) Independent (I) + Announced...    more...  
• Aug 29, 2006 How to Read the Record Use the following key to determine how your Senators and Representative voted. Democrat (D) Republican (R) Independent (I) + Announced...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Aug 25, 2006 August 25, 2006    Not Too Late to Join the Alliance Convention!; Medicare Makes $50 Million Mistake; Even the Wealthy are Having Trouble Affording Health Care; Take Action Against Wal-Mart; Tell Us Your Donut Hole Story; Clarification; Did You Know…    more...  
• Aug 18, 2006 August 18, 2006    White House Pushes to Cut Medicaid, Despite Lack of Support; GlaxoSmithKline to Reimburse $70 Million in Landmark Settlement; Drug Industry’s Excessive Profits Could Fill Doughnut Hole; Alliance News; Pelosi, Reid, Begala, Shields to Headline Alliance National Convention; Did You Know…    more...  
• Aug 11, 2006 August 11, 2006    Incumbents Face Uphill Battle; Americans United Announces New Social Security Ad Campaign; More Pension Plan Shortfalls; Costly, Private Medicare Plans See Jump in Enrollment; Pelosi, Reid, Shields to Headline Alliance National Convention; Did You Know…    more...  
• Aug 4, 2006 August 4, 2006    Senate Blocks Estate Tax Cut/Minimum Wage Increase, Passes Pension Bill; Officials Continue to Support Social Security Privatization Even With GAO Report; Heat Waves and Hurricanes Hit Seniors Hardest; Leadership Travel; Pelosi, Reid, Shields to Headline Alliance National Convention    more...  
• Jul 28, 2006 July 28, 2006    Rep. Stark Introduces National Health Plan; Medication Errors Harm Hundreds of Thousands Annually; The United States: Big Spenders, but Only for a Few; Health Insurance…and Unexpected Membership in the Wrong Organization; Find Lower-Cost Medicine with Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs; National...    more...  
• Jul 21, 2006 July 21, 2006    Americans United Shines Light on Doughnut Hole Problem; Insurers Unsure of Their Own Drug Plans; Drug Industry Benefiting on Backs of the Poor; Alliance People; National Convention Coming in September; Did You Know...    more...  
• Jul 14, 2006 July 14, 2006    Social Security Under Attack; Senate Approves Drug Importation; Americans Not Retiring When They Plan To; CEOs Doing OK Despite Underlings’ Frozen Pensions; Alliance National Convention Coming in September; Did You Know…    more...  
• Jul 7, 2006 July 7, 2006    CMS Exempts 8 Million From New Medicaid Law; The Five Stage Retirement; Tax Cuts Add to Debt Burden; Homes May Provide Retirement Relief; Did You Know…    more...  
• Jun 30, 2006 June 30, 2006    House Democrats Unveil a Fix for Part D; House Renews Older Americans Act; Health Care Costs Weigh on Retirees; Medicare to Encourage Preventive Care; Drug Companies Use Doctors’ Charities Illicitly to Curry Favor; Did You Know…    more...  
• Jun 23, 2006 June 23, 2006    White House Sets its Sights on Social Security Again; Drug Prices Rising Despite Part D Competition; Senate Denies Lowest-Wage Workers a Raise; House Votes for Partial Repeal of the Estate Tax; Minnesota Adds its Clout; World Loses Two Legends    more...  
• Jun 16, 2006 June 16, 2006    Congress May Consider Changes to New Medicare Law; Alliance WHCoA Delegates Win on Conference Report; Budget Cuts Would Worsen Enforcement Crisis at EEOC – Alliance Speaks Out; E-Mailing Congress Just got Harder;  Bert and Annabel Seidman Prize Awarded to Sheet Metal Worker; Did You Know…    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Jun 13, 2006 Alliance Activists Score Victory    Once again showing the power of retiree activism, Alliance for Retired Americans members who served as delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) were able to beat back an effort to water down the Conference’s final report. On June 12 the WHCoA’s policy committee voted...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jun 9, 2006 June 9, 2006    Key House Republican Renews Social Security Privatization Talk; Elimination of Part D Enrollment Penalty Not a Done Deal; Attempt to Repeal Estate Tax Blocked; Protectors or Predators?; Citizens’ Health Care Working Group Releases Interim Recommendations; Did You Know…    more...  
• Jun 2, 2006 June 2, 2006    November Forecast: Stormy Skies for Incumbents; New Video: Walter Cronkite on How to Fix Medicare Part D; Health Care Crisis Delays Steelworkers’ Retirement; State Chapter News; Alliance National Convention; 2073 Retiree?; Did You Know…    more...  
• May 26, 2006 May 26, 2006    Jury Finds Enron Executives Guilty; Wall Street Journal Pans Part D; Wal-Mart Likes It; Hello, Texas!; Justice Department: Abbott Laboratories' Fraud Cost Government Millions; Alliance National Convention; Did You Know...    more...  
• May 19, 2006 May 19, 2006    Proposed Part D Penalty Waiver: a Band-Aid on a Major Wound; Pension Bill Stalled with Bad Provision; House Budget Resolution Highlights Misplaced Priorities; Alliance Board Meeting A Success; Working in Your Golden Years May Not be an Option; Alliance National Convention; Did You Know…    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• May 15, 2006 Issue Briefs    Click here for the Alliance Issue Briefs    more...  



Friday Alerts

• May 12, 2006 May 12, 2006    With Part D Deadline on Monday, Still Work to be Done; Deficits Up, Poll Numbers Down; Employee Free Choice Act; State Chapter News; More Details on Alliance National Meeting; Did You Know…    more...  
• May 5, 2006 May 5, 2006    Administration Attempts to Create a Social Security and Medicare Crisis; Final Push Next Week to Extend the Part D Enrollment Deadline; Report Tells of Appalling Nursing Home Neglect; Budget News; Open Enrollment for Insurance to Supplement Medicare; Did You Know…    more...  
• Apr 28, 2006 April 28, 2006    Medicare Part D Problems Become More Evident; Part D Enrollment Numbers Are Underwhelming; Formulary Rule Change Better Late than Never; Eighteen Well-Heeled Families Fund Estate Tax Repeal Effort; Did You Know...    more...  
• Apr 21, 2006 April 21, 2006    Nevada on Course to Allow Reimportation of Prescription Drugs from Canada; Senators Call for Vote to Extend Part D Enrollment; Drug Industry Works to Impede Marketing of Generic Drugs; State Chapter Events; Another Chance to Voice Your Opinion on Health Care; Did You Know…    more...  
• Apr 13, 2006 April 13, 2006    Alliance 2005 Voting Record: Congress Gets a Failing Grade; Part D Costs Rise in 2007; CMS Officials Exit Through Swinging Doors to Join Insurers’ Trade Group    more...  
• Apr 7, 2006 April 7, 2006    Gov. Rendell Requests Release of WHCoA Materials; Rep. DeLay Resigns; Congress Tries to Agree on a Budget; State Chapter News; Wal-Mart Uses Its Might to Block Port Security; 2005 Alliance Voting Record to be Released; Did You Know    more...  


• Apr 7, 2006 How to Read the Record Use the following key to determine how your Senators and Representative voted. Democrat (D) Republican (R) Independent (I) + Announced...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 31, 2006 March 31, 2006    More Part D Problems; Even HHS Secretary Leavitt’s Parents Experience Medicare Confusion; Congressional Election Watch; State Chapter News; Did You Know…    more...  



2005 Congressional Voting Record

• Mar 28, 2006 How were members of congress scored?    The 2005 Voting Record assessed how Members of Congress voted on 10 House and 10 Senate votes that were important to the health and economic security of seniors, including Medicare, retiree benefits, tax breaks and perscription drug bennefits.    more...  



2006 National Convention

• Mar 28, 2006 Registration Information    The Alliance for Retired Americans invites you to attend our National Convention in Washington, DC, September 5-8 and 2006, and join us in fighting for retirement security. Register today! Elections Members will elect a president and secretary-treasurer and at-large members will also elect...    more...  
• Mar 28, 2006 National Convention: Fighting for Retirement Security    The major focus of the speakers, workshops and training sessions will be on our work growing State Alliances that educate our members about government policies affecting retirement security. Past speakers include: Senators Paul Sarbanes, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Debbie Stabenow and...    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• Mar 28, 2006 2005 Voting Record    Click here to download the 2005 Voting Record This past year we saw Congress once again enact legislation that worsened the nation’s budget and fiscal crisis at the expense of retirees and older Americans. In the face of the...    more...  



2005 Congressional Voting Record

• Mar 28, 2006 How did my delegation do?    Each state's voting record is available as a PDF file. To find out how your Congressional delegation voted, choose your state from the drop down below or click on the map....    more...  
• Mar 28, 2006 What Can I Do?    Together, we can advocate for an America that protects the health and economic security of its seniors. But we need you to get involved now! Use the 2005 Alliance Voting Record and this accompanying toolkit to educate and mobilize! Send a letter to your Member of Congress  ...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 24, 2006 March 24, 2006    Senate Votes “No” on Social Security Privatization; Early-Retirement Packages at GM; Lawsuit Over Spending Cuts; Retirement Watch in Congress; Alliance Events Around the Country; Did You Know…    more...  
• Mar 17, 2006 March 17, 2006    Part D: In the Midst of Conflicting Republican Messages; Senate Defiance of the Drug Companies; Raise the Debt Ceiling, Then Lower Revenue - Was This Enron’s Idea?; CHCWG – An Opportunity to Improve the Nation’s Health Care System; Drug Plan Threatens Small Pharmacies; Did You Know    more...  
• Mar 10, 2006 March 10, 2006    Senior Housing Crisis; 2005 WHCoA Report to Governors Falls Short; When $8.2 Trillion Isn’t Enough; AARP: The Profit Maker; Big Changes Coming to the House?; Did You Know…    more...  
• Mar 3, 2006 March 3, 2006    Bush Losing GOP Support; GOP Hopes Simplification Will Ease the Chaos; More Problems With Drug ‘Benefit’; If It Looks Like Privatization, Walks Like Privatization, Then It’s Privatization; Lemonade Out of A Lemon by November; Did You Know…    more...  
• Feb 24, 2006 February 24, 2006    Medicare Part D’s Price at the Polls; Even Fellow Republicans Don’t Like Bush’s Ideas; Lagging Drug Plan Enrollment; Administration Cooks the Books on the Budget; Did You Know…    more...  
• Feb 21, 2006 February 17, 2006    Kourpias Calls for Reauthorization of Older Americans Act; Part D Voter Revolt; HHS Reaches Out for Help…From Teens!; Canadian Pharmacies Feel Customs Heat; Junior High Civics Class Re-Visited    more...  
• Feb 10, 2006 February 10, 2006    Bush Budget Privatizes Social Security; Seniors Pay a Heavy Price in Bush Budget; Medicare & Medicaid; Social Security; Older Americans Act (OAA);  Social Services Block Grant (SSBG); Senior Volunteer Programs; Community Services Block Grant (CSBG); Senior Volunteer Programs; Low Income Home...    more...  
• Feb 3, 2006 February 3, 2006    GOP Slashes $11 Billion from Medicare and Medicaid; State of the Union: What the President Didn’t Say about Medicare; State of the Union: Read Between the Lines on Social Security; Part D Not Reaching Those Who Need It Most; Democrats Introduce Legislation to Fix Ailing Medicare Law; Rocky...    more...  
• Jan 27, 2006 January 27, 2006    States Will Be Reimbursed for Bailing Out Drug Plan; Insurance Lobby Collects $22 Billion in GOP Budget; Tell Your Rep to Stop Passage of $40 Billion in Budget Cuts; Medicare's Bargaining Power Could Save Billions in Drug Costs; President Bush to Highlight Health Care in State of the Union;...    more...  



Rx Drugs & Medicare

• Jan 20, 2006 Part D: What's Gone Wrong    Bewilderment and frustration have characterized Medicare Part D and the official start of coverage, January 1, 2006, was no exception. Persistent problems continue to plague the floundering drug benefit.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 20, 2006 January 20, 2006    Growing Chorus Decries Botched Rollout of Part D; Part D: Corrupt Policy, Corrupt Politics; Part D May Cut Off More Poor Patients from Medicine; Tell Your Rep to Stop Passage of $40 Billion in Budget Cuts; Aloha State Becomes Latest Alliance Charter    more...  
• Jan 13, 2006 January 13, 2006    Part D Chaos Leaves Poorest and Sickest Seniors without Medications; Social Security Privatization "Model" a Failure; Nevadans Fight and Win in Battle to Keep Drug Imports; "Fair Share Health Care" Wins Decisive Victory in Maryland    more...  



President Bush's 2007 Budget

• Jan 9, 2006 2006 Budget Reconcilation    Republicans slashed $40 billion in programs aimed at the elderly, students, children and the poor. The bill will make it harder for seniors to qualify for Medicaid's long-term care assistance, cutting $11 billion from Medicare and Medicaid while shielding pharmaceutical and insurance companies...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 6, 2006 January 6, 2006    New Year Ushers in Part D with Mixed Results; Medicare Private Contractors Sponsor Lavish Conferences; AARP Backs off Reimportation in Favor of Part D; Take Action: Stop $40 Billion in Immoral Budget Cuts; First Boomers Turn 60; AFL-CIO Launches State Campaign to Improve Health Care for Workers    more...  
• Dec 22, 2005 December 22, 2005    Part D Private Plans Don't Get Same Discounts as VA; Medicaid's Neediest May Pay the Heaviest Price in Transition to Part D; Nursing Homes Burdened by Part D Complexities; GOP Plays Scrooge Passing Draconian Budget Cuts    more...  
• Dec 16, 2005 December 16, 2005    Alliance Delegates' Anti-Privatization Demands at Aging Conference Win Approval; Alliance Delegates Star on Capitol Hill; Seniors' Discontent Grows with Consequences for Midterm Elections; House Passes Pension Bill    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Dec 16, 2005 Alliance WHCoA Delegates Star on Capitol Hill    Immediately following the close of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, several Alliance delegates went to Capitol Hill and shared their Medicare Part D experiences with lawmakers and the press at a roundtable discussion.  Concerned about the widespread confusion and problems plaguing the...    more...  
• Dec 16, 2005 Alliance Delegates' Anti-Privatization Demands at Aging Conference Win Approval    If President Bush is feeling a little bit like Rodney "I get no respect" Dangerfield, he has the 50+ Alliance member-delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging to thank. The Alliance delegates arrived in Washington, DC last weekend primed for confrontation and rebellion - and...    more...  
• Dec 9, 2005 2005 WHCoA a 'White Wash'    A contingent of activist delegates to the White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA), held December 11-14 in Washington, DC, are angry and frustrated no opportunity exists for open debate about issues they believe should be discussed but are not included on the conference's agenda. At issue for the...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 9, 2005 December 9, 2005    2005 White House Conference on Aging a 'White Wash'; Support Builds for Part D Enrollment Extension; Companies Adopt 'Wait and See' Approach on Retiree Health Benefits; Grassroots Movement to Fix Health Care Crisis One City at a Time; Restore the Basic Right to Workers' Rights on December 10    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Dec 8, 2005 WHCoA Recommendations    The Alliance recommends the following implementation strategies for key resolutions at the White House Conference on Aging.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 2, 2005 December 2, 2005    December 11-14: White House Conference on Aging; Confusion and Bewilderment Over Part D; Problems in Discount Card Program Ominous for Part D; Part D Tips for Retirees with Employer or Union Provided Health Care; Senators Fail in Last Ditch Effort on Social Security Privatization; Alliance...    more...  



Rx Drugs & Medicare

• Dec 2, 2005 Part D Tips for Retirees with Employer or Union Health Care    If you are one of the 11.5 million Medicare beneficiaries who have drug coverage through a former employer or union, your current coverage could work with Medicare Part D in several different ways. The 2003 law offered employers several options in order to encourage companies to continue their...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Nov 22, 2005 November 18, 2005    There was no Friday Alert on November 18.    more...  
• Nov 10, 2005 November 10, 2005    Honoring America's Veterans; Elections Deliver Blow to Republicans - Set Tone for 2006 Midterms; Seniors Still Wary of Part D Drug Benefit; Midterm Elections Will Determine Future of Social Security; Restore Workers' Freedoms on December 10    more...  
• Nov 4, 2005 November 4, 2005    Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment Begins November 15; White House Threatens to Veto Cuts to Medicare Insurance Subsidy; Eligible Medicaid Recipients Randomly Enrolled Into Medicare Drug Plans; Drug Prices Soar Past Inflation Again; Alliance Says No to Tax Cuts for Millionaires; December 10:...    more...  



Rx Drugs & Medicare

• Nov 4, 2005 Where to Go for Qualified Help on Part D    For information and qualified, non-biased help with Part D private plans and enrollment, the following federal and state agencies will provide one-on-one counseling.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Oct 28, 2005 October 28, 2005    Bush Calls for Deeper Budget Cuts, More Tax Cuts and Private Accounts; Alliance Joins the Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities (ECAP); Poll Suggests Bleak Outlook for Incumbents; Medicare Aid Program Extended; Pension Premiums May Rise; Drugs Sales to Soar with Medicare Rx Benefit;...    more...  
• Oct 21, 2005 October 21, 2005    House GOP Pushes for Massive Budget Cuts; GM and UAW Reach Agreement on Retiree Health Care Benefits; States Resist Payments for Medicare Rx Drug Benefit; Congress Fails to Renew Medicare Aid Program; Get Mobilized for December 10: International Human Rights Day; In Memoriam: Joyce Starks; Be a...    more...  
• Oct 7, 2005 October 7, 2005    'No Appetite' for Dismantling Social Security; Medicare Handbook Blooper Fuels Confusion; Pension Bill Stalled in Senate; Medicare Drug Plan May Hurt WI Seniors; Some Want Seniors to Pay for Katrina    more...  
• Sep 30, 2005 September 30, 2005    Pension Protection Bill Moves Forward in Senate; New Medicare Drug Plans Make Marketing Debut; Negotiated Drug Prices = Winners; Medicare Prices = Losers; Santorum Criticizes GOP Social Security Efforts; Proposes Hollow Guarantee; Vanishing Pensions and Savings: Educational Fund's Latest Issue Brief    more...  
• Sep 23, 2005 September 9, 2005    Special Legislative Conference Alert; Clinton Tells Delegates to Keep Fighting Social Security Privatization; White House: Disaster Relief Needs Tax Cuts and Social Security Privatization    more...  
• Sep 23, 2005 September 23, 2005    Scrambling for Funds Lawmakers Suggest Delaying Medicare Drug Benefit; Basic Medicare Premiums to Increase 13%; Seniors Prove Social Security Privatization Is the Wrong Way; Senate to Test Vote on Reimportation; Medicare Recipients Needed for Case Against Drug Industry Greed; Make a Difference...    more...  
• Sep 16, 2005 September 16, 2005    GOP Conflicted Over Social Security Privatization; Insurers and Wall Street Eye Profits from Drug Benefit; PBGC Says Delta and Northwest Must Pay Pensions; Employees Shouldering the Burden of Rising Health Care Costs; Fight Drug Company Greed!; White House Conference on Aging Posts Delegate...    more...  
• Sep 2, 2005 September 2, 2005    Promoting Medicare Bush Calls for Privatizing Social Security; Medicare Drug Plans Gear Up for October Promotional Push; Social Security and Medicare Decrease Elderly Poverty Rate; Not Too Late for Alliance's Legislative Conference, September 7-9; Addressing Housing Needs of Older Americans;...    more...  
• Aug 26, 2005 August 26, 2005    Stand Up to Respect and Protect Retirement Security!; Seniors Still Skeptical of Medicare Drug Plan; Medicare Law Means Healthcare Industry Lobbying Booms; As Prices Rise, Pressure Mounts to Legalize Drug Imports; Americans' Savings Are Dismal to Nothing    more...  
• Aug 19, 2005 August 19, 2005    Despite Polls GOP Optimistic About Push for Private Accounts; Drug Costs for Elderly Rise at Twice Rate of Inflation; Racial Health Disparities Persist in Medicare; Private Companies Spend Millions Marketing Medicare; Americans Bear Larger Burdens with Medical Debt    more...  
• Aug 12, 2005 August 12, 2005    Social Security Celebrates 70 Years; September Will Be Critical to Protecting Retirement Security; Medicare Premium Bait and Switch?; Big Pharma to Police Its Own Drug Advertising    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Aug 11, 2005 Raiding the Surplus: A Gimmick for Private Accounts    Privatizers are determined to destroy Social Security’s guaranteed benefits and replace them with risky private accounts. Their latest proposal is the worst privatization plan yet: raid Social Security’s surplus to establish private accounts. They claim it will “stop the raid on Social...    more...  



News & Resources

• Aug 5, 2005 Social Security - Official Petition to Congress    Urge Your Elected Officials to Oppose Social Security Privatization! Privatization is bad for Social Security, our economy and our future. Social Security faces a challenge, not a crisis, and it needs to be strengthened, not dismantled. Send our Social Security petition to urge your elected...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Aug 5, 2005 August 5, 2005    Bush Insists on Pursuing Private Accounts; Clinton and Goodwin Confirmed for Alliance Legislative Conference; Supreme Court Nominee Defended PhRMA; Rising Drug Prices Continue to Outpace Inflation; Health Insurers Eager for Medicare Dollars Market Drug Benefit; Alliance Welcomes Two More States...    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Aug 3, 2005 WHCoA Resolutions from LCAO    The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition of over 50 national aging organizations, sponsored a White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) Solutions Forum on May 17, 2005. The Alliance for Retired Americans serves as one of five rotating chairs of LCAO.  At the forum, LCAO...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jul 29, 2005 July 29, 2005    Alliance President Addresses AFL-CIO Convention; Medicare Celebrates 40 Years As GOP Ramps Up PR Push for Rx Benefit; August 1st National Social Security Call-In Day; House Democrats Propose Retirement Security Package; Rove Tells Allies House Will Move First on Social Security; Bush...    more...  
• Jul 22, 2005 July 22, 2005    Surplus Plan Doesn't Pass Muster With White House; Medicare Drug Plan Faces a Rocky Road; Legalizing Drug Reimportation Overcomes First Hurdle in Senate; Direct-To-Consumer Drug Advertising Draws Ire and Action    more...  
• Jul 15, 2005 July 15, 2005    Congress Delays Action on Private Accounts; Older Americans Decisive Influence on Social Security Debate; Alliance Educates and Mobilizes Seniors Around Social Security; Bush Administration's Medicare Education Inaccurate; White House …Finally… Gets it Right on Veterans Health Care    more...  


• Jul 14, 2005 Truth Truck By the Numbers · 39 Stops · 19 States · More than 70 Members of Congress · 12,500 miles Senior opposition to private accounts has a lot to do with the trepidation in Congress to act on Social Security. Older voters wield significant influence in elections, especially mid-term elections,...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jul 8, 2005 July 8, 2005    Drug Industry Spends More than Any Other to Influence Government; Seniors Anti-Privatization Message Louder and Stronger; Social Security in Congress; Social Security Administration Has No Plans to Commemorate 70th Anniversary; Medicaid Cuts Focused on Long-Term Care    more...  
• Jul 1, 2005 July 1, 2005    House Republicans Sacrifice Solvency for Private Accounts; Social Security Truth Truck Rolls Through Midwest During July 4 Recess; GOP Scrambles to Fill Billion Dollar Hole in Veterans Health Care; Canada Cracks Down on Rx Drug Exports; Older Americans Anxious about Health Care Costs    more...  
• Jun 24, 2005 June 24, 2005    Social Security: Desperate Lawmakers; More Big Companies Ditching Pensions; Health Care Costs Outpace Wages; Nevada Defies Federal Ban on Drug Reimportation; Connecticut Joins Alliance's Grassroots Network; Retiree Health Insurance Program    more...  



Rx Drugs & Medicare

• Jun 22, 2005 Drug Reimportation    Drug Reimportation Basics Reimporting lower priced medications has become an urgent political issue. Federal lawmakers, state and local governments and millions of Americans are forcing legislative action to legalize imports as a way of providing relief from skyrocketing prescription drugs...    more...  
• Jun 22, 2005 Medicare Law    How Did Your Elected Officials Vote on the 2003 Medicare Law? In late 2003, the legislative battle to pass the Medicare bill was contentious until the end. A House-Senate conference committee dominated by Republicans produced the bill, which was quickly brought up for debate in the House. In...    more...  
• Jun 22, 2005 Part D Drug Benefit    At-a-Glance Enrollment for the Part D drug benefit began November 15 and coverage will begin January 2006. The drug plan, a centerpiece of the controversial 2003 Medicare law, is an intricate web of private insurance companies providing coverage to Medicare's 40 million beneficiaries. Find...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jun 17, 2005 June 17, 2005    GOP Looking for Ways Out on Social Security; Congress Maneuvers Around Opposition to Private Accounts; Medicare's Rx Benefit Back in the Bully Pulpit; Prescription Drug Spending Continues to Soar; House Committee to Consider Pension Legislation; Automatic Enrollment in 401(k) Plans Increases;...    more...  
• Jun 10, 2005 June 10, 2005    Congress Considers Ailing Pension Plans; Social Security Debate Revived; Dismal Savings Rates Among American Workers; Post-ABC Poll on GWB; Drug Panel on FDA Sides With Drug Industry    more...  
• Jun 3, 2005 June 3, 2005    Medicare Reaches Out to Low-Income Beneficiaries for Rx Drug Benefit; Is President Bush's Political Capital Spent?; Lawmakers to Resume Social Security Legislation Work; Social Security Plays a Crucial Role in Retirement Security; Alliance Truth Truck Brings its Anti-Privitization Message Out...    more...  
• May 27, 2005 May 27, 2005    Older Voters Dominated 2004 Elections; Will Likely Have Huge Impact in 2006; Senate Democrats Holding Firm Against Privatization; Alliance Truth Truck Tours the West; Centrists May Be Eyeing Social Security Debate; Flawed Medicare Guide Will be Revised; Alliance's Educational Fund Releases Brief...    more...  
• May 20, 2005 May 20, 2005    Social Security Truth Truck Heads West; Demand Your Lawmaker "Take a Stand" on Social Security; House GOP Super Sizes Its Social Security Overhaul Strategy; Most Americans Don't Approve of President's Benefit Cut Plan; President's Social Security Plan Inventor Criticizes President's...    more...  
• May 13, 2005 May 13, 2005    Partisan Debate Dominates House Hearings on Social Security; Budget "Borrows" Another $150 Billion of Social Security Surplus; Medicare Handbook's Gaping Hole; Bleak Skies Ahead for United's Pensioners    more...  
• May 6, 2005 May 6, 2005    Legislative Moves Change Social Security Landscape; Bush Plan Hits Middle Class Hardest; Social Security Truth Truck Rolls Through New England; Olympia Dukakis Stars in Alliance's "Saving Social Security" Video; Find Lower-Cost Medicine with Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs; Come to...    more...  
• Apr 29, 2005 April 29, 2005    Bush Would Cut Social Security Benefits for Working Families; Bush Plan: How Much of a Cut and For Whom?; Thousands Unite in Opposition to Privatization; Medicare Drastically Limits Claim Hearings; Register for the Alliance's 2005 Legislative Conference    more...  


• Apr 27, 2005 Press Release Read our National Press Release: Actress Olympia Dukakis Stars In Anti-Privatization Social Security Video - Call to Arms Urges Seniors to Challenge President's Privatization Claims | La Actriz Olympia Dukakis Tiene Actuación Estelar - En Video Contra La Privatización Del Seguro Social - »...    more...  
• Apr 27, 2005 Video: Saving Social Security The "Saving Social Security" video is available in two languages, formats and sizes. To begin watching the video, choose your language and format, then click on the link that corresponds to your internet connection. English Version Real Media: [ Broadband | 56K (Dial-Up)...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Apr 22, 2005 April 22, 2005    Mobilize Against Privatization! Thousands Expected to Rally for Social Security; Jittery Stock Market Raises Concerns about Privatization; Privatization Proposal Has Least Appeal for Working Poor; Senate Tries Again on Bill to Legalize Imports; Calling All Senior Activists: Alliance's 2005...    more...  
• Apr 15, 2005 April 15, 2005    White House Hints to Social Security Compromises; "Hands Off My Social Security" Rallies on April 26; Soaring Rx Prices Outpace Inflation Rate ... Again; Medicare's Headache: Drug Benefit Applications Are Coming; Alliance's Educational Fund Releases Resources on Social Security; Calling...    more...  



News & Resources

• Apr 15, 2005 Social Security Publications    The Alliance for Retired Americans Eduational Fund provides publications to educate older and retired Americans of issues of concern and compile rosters of qualified experts and professionals with respect to these issues so that retiree groups will have a variety of sources to turn to in order to...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Apr 8, 2005 April 8, 2005    Opposition to Social Security Privatization Hardens; Bush's Social Security Campaign Costs Millions in Taxpayer Funds; Medicare Tests Applications for Low-Income Drug Subsidy; WHCoA Deadline for Delegate Designations April 15; Mark Your Calendars: Alliance's 2005 Legislative Conference in...    more...  
• Apr 1, 2005 April 1, 2005    'Social Security Truth Truck' Rounds Out Two-Week Tour; National Day of Action for Retirement Security; Another Double-Digit Increase in Medicare Premiums; Judge Rules Retiree Health Benefits Cannot Be Cut for the Medicare-Eligible    more...  
• Mar 24, 2005 March 24, 2005    'Social Security Truth Truck' Drives Message to Congress at Home; Trustees Report on Medicare and Social Security; ARAEF Releases Report on Social Security; President Bush Stopped Paying His Social Security Taxes Today; Alliance at the Grassroots; Get Involved: Upcoming Events; WHCoA Extends...    more...  



Social Security Truth Truck Tours

• Mar 22, 2005 Press Room: Truth Truck Media Coverage    Read the press coverage from the Alliance's Social Security Truth Truck: Thousands of Miles, 1 Million Voices tour. Find out how seniors drove home their message not to privatize Social Security.    more...  
• Mar 21, 2005 Daily Blogs    Daily briefings from the Alliance detailing Truth Truck stops and events; photos of senior activists and congressional trips.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 18, 2005 March 18, 2004    Majority Disapprove of President's Social Security Privatization Approach; Business Group Backs Out Of Social Security Coalition; Alliance 'Social Security Petition Truth Truck' Will Stop in 7 States; Bush Concedes Personal Accounts Don't Address Solvency; Administration Fiscal Policies Threaten...    more...  



Social Security Truth Truck Tours

• Mar 11, 2005 Send A Petition To Your Members of Congress    The Alliance invites seniors and their families to add their voices to our effort. Find out if the Alliance's Truth Truck stopped in your city. Even if it wasn't on our tour, you can still get involved by sending a petition to your Members of Congress. Together, we can make a difference! Urge...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 11, 2005 March 11, 2005    Alliance's 'Social Security Truth Truck' - 3,000 Miles, 1 Million Voices; President's Massive Push on Social Security Privatization; GAO Head Says No Immediate Social Security Crisis; Medicare Rx Costs Continue to Grow; WHCoA Extends Deadline for Delegate Designations    more...  



Social Security Truth Truck Tours

• Mar 4, 2005 Truth Truck Tour Schedule 2005    Midwest Tuesday, Jul 5: Lansing and Kalamazoo, MI Wednesday, Jul 6: Joliet, IL Thursday, Jul 7: Racine and Green Bay, WI Friday, Jul 8: St. Cloud, MN Monday, Jul 11: Cedar Rapids and Davenport, IA Tuesday, Jul 12: Peoria and Champaign Urbana, IL Wednesday, Jul 13: Collinsville, IL...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 4, 2005 March 4, 2005    More Americans Oppose Social Security Privatization; Alliance's 'Social Security Truth Truck'-3,000 Miles, 1 Million Voices; Anxious Republicans Seeking Social Security Compromise, or Are They?; White House Will Intensify Campaign with 60 Stops in 60 Days; Alliance's Grassroots in Action; Get...    more...  



News & Resources

• Mar 4, 2005 More Americans Oppose Social Security Privatization    It's still too early to tell what will happen with Social Security, but by most measures President George Bush's drive to carve private accounts out of Social Security seems to be "sinking like a rock," to quote Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Several recent polls reveal support for private...    more...  
• Mar 1, 2005 Talking Points: Social Security and Privatization    Social Security reform is the most important political debate in several decades. It is critical to speak out and be heard on the issue that will affect you and your family. Use our Social Security Talking Points as a guide for talking with your family, friends, and the media.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 25, 2005 February 25, 2005    Lawmakers Encounter Senior Grassroots Opposition on Social Security; Alliance Members Making Their Voices Heard on Social Security; Tax Dollars Used to Fund Pro-Privatization Focus Groups; In Memoriam: Alliance Mourns the Loss of Frank Souza    more...  
• Feb 18, 2005 February 18, 2005    Greenspan Urges Caution on Private Accounts; Bush Campaigns Hard on Social Security; Polls Show Tough Road Ahead; Bush's 2006 Budget Hurts Older Americans; White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA); Get Active: Upcoming Events for Senior Activists    more...  



President Bush's 2007 Budget

• Feb 18, 2005 President Bush's 2007 Budget    Cuts More Spending from Medicare and Medicaid President Bush's 2007 budget slashes Medicare and Medicaid Cuts Medicare by $36 billion in the next five years and $105 billion over ten years Cuts Medicaid by $13.7 billion over five years Freezes Medicare payments to health care providers...    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Feb 16, 2005 WHCoA Announcements    The White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) 2005 Conference date has changed from October to December 11-14, 2005 and will be held in Washington, D.C.    more...  



News & Resources

• Feb 11, 2005 Get the Facts on Social Security    There is a great deal of misinformation in the current Social Security debate. Find out what is being said and what the facts truly are.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 11, 2005 February 11, 2005    Bush Budget Slashes Funding, Omits Big Ticket Items; Medicare's Corporate Welfare Skyrockets to $724 Billion; Alliance Grassroots on the Front Lines in Social Security Battle; Get Involved: Senior Activists Can Make a Difference    more...  



Social Security Primer: Facts & Figures

• Feb 10, 2005 What You Need to Know to be a Part of the Social Security Debate    The Big Debate "The debate about Social Security is going to be a monumental clash of ideas. Our aim is to introduce market reforms in Social Security." - Peter Wehner, White House advisor "Democrats believe in individual retirement plans as a supplement to Social...    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Feb 8, 2005 Tell Your Grandchildren the Truth About Privatization    President George W. Bush wants to convince people in their 20s that Social Security will not be there when they retire. He hopes you, your children and your grandchildren won't fight his privatization plan, which he isn't telling anyone will drastically cut benefits. You owe it to your...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Feb 4, 2005 February 4, 2005    Bush Leaves Out Significant Details about Private Accounts; Senators Want to Allow Medicare to Bargain for Rx Drugs; Medicaid Likely to be Hit Hard by President's Budget; Pennsylvania Alliance to Rally for Mass Transit Funding; American Income Life Offer for Alliance Members    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Feb 3, 2005 Private Social Security Accounts Are Wrong    President George W. Bush's proposal to privatize Social Security by allowing younger workers to divert a portion of their payroll taxes into private accounts is the wrong answer to strengthening Social Security.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 28, 2005 January 28, 2005    Bush Will Hit the Road with a Shaky Social Security Message; With Election Over, Drug Makers Hike Prices on Popular Drugs; Congressional Budget Office Says Real Crisis Lies in Medicare and Medicaid; Alliance Offers Retiree Health Insurance Program    more...  



News & Resources

• Jan 24, 2005 Social Security Resources On the Web    The most current Social Security reports and a list of organizations, institutions and think tanks that serve as an important resource for information and research on the topic of Social Security.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 21, 2005 January 21, 2005    Bush Inaugurated for Second Term - Polls Show Public Has Serious Doubts; White House Planned to Use Social Security Administration to Promote its Agenda; AFL-CIO Intensifies Campaign Against Privatization as Wall Street Lays Low; Influential Republican Calls President's Social Security Plan...    more...  
• Jan 14, 2005 January 14, 2005    Bush Leads Drive in Framing Another "Crisis"; Karl Rove Masterminding Social Security Campaign of Fear; Bush Administration Proposes Premium Hike for Pension Insurance Agency; Medicare Drug Card Enrollment Still Sluggish    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Jan 12, 2005 Myths About Social Security Privatization    Opponents of Social Security exaggerate a crisis and claim private accounts are the answer. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Get the facts on Social Security.    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Jan 7, 2005 January 7, 2005    Bush's Social Security Plan Will Slash Benefits; Canada Planning to Ban Sales of Prescription Drugs to Americans; Rep. Robert Matsui, Staunch Defender of Social Security, Dies; US Airways Terminates Pensions But Keeps Retiree Health Benefits; State Alliances Forming Coalitions to Fight Social...    more...  



Social Security Basics

• Jan 7, 2005 Social Security Basics    What Is Social Security? All Americans have a stake in Social Security because it is the foundation, the core tier, of retirement security. It is a part of almost everyone's life. It protects more than 145 million workers and pays benefits to 46 million people.   Read More » Fact...    more...  



News & Resources

• Jan 7, 2005 Retirement Security In The News    Weekly news links designed to provide you with a snapshot of those news articles, commentary, or reports that best capture and communicate what happened the previous week in the fight to preserve and protect Retirement Security.    more...  
• Jan 6, 2005 Social Security Tax Cap Calculator    Based on your annual salary, use our calculator to find out when you would stop paying into Social Security.    more...  
• Jan 5, 2005 Bush Plan Cuts Social Security Benefits    President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security and create private retirement accounts will very likely include deep cuts in benefits for future retirees. Experts agree that private retirement accounts do little to solve Social Security's shortfall and privatization proposals must rely on...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 22, 2004 December 22, 2004 (Early Issue)    For Bush's Privatization Proposals, 'Devil is in the Details'; Government Claims Imported Drugs 'Not Safe'; More Bad News for Retirees with Health Benefits; Plan Now to Attend White House Conference on Aging    more...  
• Dec 17, 2004 December 17, 2004    Social Security Battle Begins; Action Plan for Alliance Members; Tauzin Joins PhRMA; Washington State Alliance Hosts Social Security Forum; Take Action for US Airways' Retirees    more...  



News & Resources

• Dec 16, 2004 Letter to President Bush from Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO)    Members of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) are strongly urging President Bush to provide full accounting of the costs of Social Security privatization and how those costs would be met. LCAO strongly believes that Social Security is the cornerstone of income security for...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 10, 2004 December 10, 2004    Join the Battle to Save Social Security; Washington Alliance Plans Rally to Protect Social Security; Problems with Medicare "Hotline" Continue; IBM Eliminates Pension Plans for New Employees; Alliance Joins Consumer Union Initiative To Help Seniors Save on Prescription Drugs; Illinois...    more...  



Take Action to Protect Social Security

• Dec 10, 2004 Join the Battle to Save Social Security    Social Security is one of America's great success stories. With rock-solid, inflation-proof, guaranteed benefits that last a lifetime, Social Security hasn't missed a paycheck for 70 years. Its benefits span generations covering Americans of all ages. Today, Social Security is more financially...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Dec 3, 2004 December 3, 2004    Campaign to Save Social Security Must Involve Americans of All Ages, Says Kourpias; Frist Gets Lesson in Dangers of Privatization; Seniors Still Confused by Drug Discount Cards; NY Alliance Meets on Social Security Privatization; News Flash! At a news conference this afternoon, Tommy Thompson...    more...  
• Nov 24, 2004 November 24, 2004 (Early Issue)    Analyzing the 2004 Senior Vote; Social Security: Hottest Topic in Town; Millions to Pay More for Medications Under New Medicare Law; CWA News Adds Retiree Column; Buy Union Week; Stay Healthy This Holiday Season    more...  
• Nov 19, 2004 November 19, 2004    Grassroots Activists Review Election Effort - Confer On Alliance's 2005 Legislative Agenda; Senate Selects Leaders; GOP Changes Rule to Protect DeLay; FDA Comes Under Fire for Vioxx Debacle; Broken Promises:  Retiree Health Care; Activist Leader Charlene Block Bids Farewell to Connecticut    more...  
• Nov 10, 2004 November 10, 2004 (Early Issue)    Kourpias Reaffirms Alliance's Role in Upcoming Debate Over Social Security; Think Twice about Health Savings Accounts; More on Composition of 109th Congress; Speak Out! Join the Alliance Post-Election Discussion Forum    more...  
• Nov 5, 2004 November 5, 2004    Kourpias Thanks Activists, Remains Hopeful and Committed to Protecting Senior Programs; Composition of 109th Congress; Bush's Agenda for Second Term; So Much for Unity; Have You Taken Augmentin?; Alliance Mourns Bob Porter    more...  
• Oct 29, 2004 October 29, 2004    Kourpias Sees 2004 Election As "Most Important in Our Lifetime"; Coyle Tells Activists to Focus on "Getting out the Vote"; Burks Urges Seniors to Beware of 'Dirty Tricks'; Voting Tips; Alliance Offers Retiree Health Insurance Program    more...  
• Oct 22, 2004 October 22, 2004    "Who You Vote for Matters," Warns Kourpias; Coyle Calls Election "A Referendum on Bush"; What Alliance Activists Can Do; Social Security Benefits to Increase 2.7 Percent ; So-called "Seniors" Groups At It Again; New Online Tool Features Alliance    more...  
• Oct 15, 2004 October 15, 2004    Bush's Canadian Flip Flop; HHS Inspector General Highlights Medicare Discount Cards' Shortcomings; Alliance Groups Host Scores of Debate Watch Parties; Seniors Can Make the Difference, says Kourpias; Congress Hits Debt Limit; Okays "Lame Duck" Session    more...  
• Oct 13, 2004 October 8, 2004    U. S. Economy A 'Disaster' Under Bush; Presidential Debate Tonight; Take A Close Look at Prescription Drug Benefit, Says Kourpias; Alliance Comments on Proposed Regulations for Rx Benefits; Battle Over Cash Balance Pension Plans Continues; 'Golden Girl' Lends Voice to Alliance    more...  
• Oct 1, 2004 October 1, 2004    "Socked Out Seniors" Rally Against Bush Policies; Host a Presidential Debate Watch Party! Order Your Debate Party Toolkit Today; Pfizer Goes After One of its Own; Medicare Premium Increase Draws Fire from Older Americans; Hometown Paper Says "No" to Bush    more...  
• Sep 24, 2004 September 24, 2004    Alliance to "Sock-it" to Bush at National Senior Rally; Medicare Premium Increase Draws Fire from Older Americans; GOP Seeks to Buy Support for Drug Discount Card; New Alliance Report Focuses on Crisis in Retiree Health Care; AFL-CIO Needs Volunteers for Election Day; Alliance Offers...    more...  



Get the Facts: 1 Pagers

• Sep 17, 2004 10 Reasons Why Privatization Is the Wrong Answer    Social Security is financially sound today and will be for the next four decades. There are ideological and political differences, however, over the best way to accomplish the stability and longevity of this popular program.  Some believe that Social Security needs to be dismantled and replaced...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Sep 17, 2004 September 17, 2004    Kourpias Tells Activists:  "Now is Time for Action"; Know Where Presidential Candidates Stand on Social Security and Medicare; State Alliances Flex Muscles at Grassroots    more...  



2005 White House Conference on Aging

• Sep 15, 2004 Alliance Statement Before the WHCoA Policy Committee    The Alliance for Retired Americans testifies before White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) policy committee. Government and political affairs director, Richard Fiesta, tells committee the 2005 WHCoA is an opportunity to pull together some of the greatest minds in the country—older...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Sep 10, 2004 September 10, 2004    Seniors Squeezed by Record Medicare Premium Hike; Bush Administration Charged With Concealing True Cost of Medicare Law; Alliance Testifies Before White House Conference on Aging; Host a Presidential Debate Watch Party and Get Involved in Vote 2004!; Seniors' Election Year Issues Package...    more...  
• Sep 3, 2004 September 3, 2004    Bush Speech Light on Details and Heavy on Omissions; How Does Bush Define Compassion?; Greenspan Repeats Call to Slash Social Security Benefits; Get Involved in Vote 2004! Host a Presidential Debate Watch Party; Mark Your Calendars! - Upcoming Alliance Events    more...  
• Aug 27, 2004 August 27, 2004    Medicare Law Faces Major Obstacle for Drug Benefit; Ranks of Uninsured Rise for Third Year in a Row; FDA Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Imports; Shhh…Social Security Privatization Top Priority in Second Bush Term; 67 Days and Counting to Election Day 2004    more...  
• Aug 20, 2004 August 20, 2004    Debate over Drug Imports Intensifies in Presidential Race; States Move Forward with Drug Reimportation Efforts Without Federal Approval; United Airlines Likely to Terminate Pension Plans; Drug and Insurance Companies Fight Over Drugs Covered in Medicare    more...  
• Aug 13, 2004 August 13, 2004    Alliance Endorses Kerry-Edwards Ticket; Medicare Beneficiaries Negative About Rx Law; Many Seniors Taking Drugs Considered to be Dangerous; Inadequate Enforcement Causes Nursing Home Citations To Drop    more...  
• Aug 6, 2004 August 6, 2004    HMOs to Reap Huge Profits from Medicare Law; Bush Administration Runs Up Highest Deficits in History; White House Conference on Aging Sets Date; NIH Restricts Outside Consulting; Employer-sponsored Health Insurance Coverage Declines; Bertrand Seidman Fellowship for Advancing Social Policy    more...  
• Jul 30, 2004 July 30, 2004    Special Convention Edition: Democrats Vow "America Can Do Better!"; Teresa Heinz Kerry Electrifies Senior Caucus; Alliance's Talking Pill Bottles Are Talk of Boston; Medicare Agency Offers Glimpse of 2006 Prescription Drug Benefit; Do You Pay Too Much For Prescription Drugs?    more...  
• Jul 23, 2004 July 23, 2004    Medicare Drug Plan Could Cut Deeply into Social Security Benefits; Republican Leadership in Congress Delays Reimportation Bill; Candidate Bush Will Promote Private Investment Accounts for Social Security; Alliance at the Democratic National Convention; Paltry Drug Card Enrollment Among Low-Income...    more...  
• Jul 16, 2004 July 16, 2004    More Retirees Could Lose Health Coverage; Share Your Concerns About Your Employer-Provided Plan; House Votes to Allow Prescription Drug Importation; Senator Grassley Urges Tighter Supervision in Nursing Homes Inspections; Bush Official Protects Drug Industry; Kerry Supports Continuation of Older...    more...  
• Jul 9, 2004 July 9, 2004    Bush Administration Withheld Medicare Estimates; John Kerry Selects John Edwards as Running Mate; Drug Companies Attempt to Clean Up Tarnished Image; Action Alert: Senate Must Act NOW on Reimportation; Pharmacy Information Inaccurate on Medicare Website; Bush Administration Still Refuses to...    more...  
• Jul 8, 2004 July 6, 2004 - Special Edition    Kerry Edwards Ticket Is Official - John Kerry Taps John Edwards to be Vice President    more...  
• Jul 2, 2004 July 2, 2004    Seniors Finding Little Relief from Skyrocketing Drug Prices; Millions of Americans Struggling with Medical Bills; Maine and Rhode Island Defy Federal Law and Allow Reimportation; Drug Makers Overcharged Public Hospitals and Clinics; Federal Reserve Interest Rate Increases Will Have Mixed Impact...    more...  
• Jun 25, 2004 June 25, 2004    Medicare Drug Discount Card Were Designed Too Quickly; Medicare Lottery Will Preview 2006 Drug Benefit; Seniors Urged to Contact Senate as Ohio RxExpress Saves Seniors $52,000; Supreme Court Limits Patient Rights, Aids HMO's; Inequalities in Nursing Home Care; Alliance Mourns Death of "A...    more...  
• Jun 18, 2004 June 18, 2004    Rosier Outlook for Social Security Reignites Political Debate; Action Alert! Tell Your Senators to Support Dorgan-Snowe Reimportation Bill; President Bush Forced to Defend Medicare Drug Cards; Bush Administration Reverses Policy on Food Stamp Cuts Linked to Drug Cards; Alliance President Joins...    more...  
• Jun 11, 2004 June 11, 2004    Drug Cards Spark Skepticism about Future Medicare Drug Benefit; Food Stamps for Low-Income Seniors Reduced by Drug Cards; Pfizer's Heavy-Handed Tactics Cancel Connecticut RxExpress Bus Trip; Nevada Town Hall Questions Effects of Discount Cards; Democrats Attempt to Block Medicare Privatization in...    more...  
• Jun 4, 2004 June 4, 2004    Disappointed Seniors Are Lukewarm about Drug Cards; Alliance's Discussion Forum on Rx Drugs and Medicare; Dueling Reimportation Bills in the Senate; Public Reactions to the Medicare Law; Fraudulent Card Sponsors in Medicare Drug Discount Program; Alliance Is an AARP Alternative    more...  
• May 28, 2004 May 28, 2004    Rising Drug Prices Wipe Out Discounts; Generic Drugs Marked Up Close to 2000%; Slow Enrollment in Medicare Cards; Alliance Wants to Hear from You; California Will Launch Website to Buy Drugs from Canada; From Industry Advocate to Industry Regulator; Honoring the Greatest Generation    more...  
• May 21, 2004 May 21, 2004    Bush Administration Illegally Used Taxpayer Funds for Medicare Videos; Senate Committee Hearing on Reimportation; Medicare Bill Illustrates How Not to Run a Democracy, Group Reports; Live Online Chat: Ask the Alliance on June 9; Discount Cards Continue to Perplex and Frustrate; Medicare Law...    more...  
• May 14, 2004 April 2, 2004    Poll Shows Seniors Reject New Medicare Law; White House Nixes Aide's Medicare Testimony; Former Senator Bob Dole Hawks Viagra … then the Medicare Law; Intense Lobbying for Drug Discount Cards; Action Needed! Call Your Senators; Tell a Friend about the Alliance and Friday Alert!    more...  
• May 14, 2004 May 14, 2004    Drug Card Sponsors Spent Millions Lobbying, Add Even More to Bush Coffers; The Politics of Medicare; What's Your Impression of the Medicare Law?; Kerry Faults Bush for Failing to Rein in Health Care Costs; Medicare Increases Payments to Managed Care Plans; New Mexico Alliance for Retired...    more...  
• May 10, 2004 March 26, 2004    Findings of Medicare Trustees Report ‘Misleading’ Says Kourpias; Medicare ‘Scandals’ Continue to Divide Congress; Beware of Drug Discount Card Scams; Conferees Fail To Agree on Pensions    more...  
• May 7, 2004 May 7, 2004    Wary and Confused Seniors Stymied by Rx Discount Card Enrollment; Share Your Tales about the Bush Drug Discount Cards!; Alliance Challenges HHS Secretary to Push for Bush Support of Rx Reimportation; Bush Administration Violated Law by Witholding Medicare Cost Estimates; Seniors Have the Power...    more...  
• May 6, 2004 March 19, 2004    Capitol Hill Juggles Medicare Hot Potatoes; More False Ads; Social Security Vital to Women, Children & Minorities; AARP Outspends PhRMA in Lobbying Congress; Town Hall Meeting Draws 130 in Nevada    more...  
• May 6, 2004 March 12, 2004    Kourpias Addresses AFL-CIO Executive Council; Seniors Urged to Read AARP Letter to Drug Companies Carefully; Coyle Denounces GAO Ruling on Medicare Ads; McClellan Wins Confirmation but Getting There Wasn't Easy; Senate Budget Battle Heats Up; Nevada Alliance to Host Town Hall Meeting    more...  
• Apr 30, 2004 April 30, 2004    Medicare Drug Discount Card Enrollment Begins on May 3; Medicare's Website Launches Price Comparison Tool; Rolling Out the Drug Discount Cards; Sound off on Medicare Drug Discount Cards; Congressional Democrats Will Sue for Medicare Estimates; Bush Administration Works Against Reimportation Efforts    more...  
• Apr 28, 2004 March 5, 2004    Alliance Voting Record Shows 108th Congress Failing Seniors; Alliance Sets Record Straight on Social Security; AARP Head Grilled Over Medicare Position; Another Medicare Veteran Defects; California Grocery Workers Score Big Win; Ohio Alliance Launches Newsletter    more...  
• Apr 23, 2004 February 27, 2004    Kourpias Says Greenspan is "Wrong on Social Security"; Bush Names McClellan to Head CMS; Beware Telemarketers Selling Discount Drug Cards; Reimportation Crack Down Continues; Dole to Stump for Medicare Bill; Tauzin Puts PhRMA Job on Hold for Now; First Fallout from Medicare Drug...    more...  
• Apr 23, 2004 April 23, 2004    Reimportation on a Roll; Seniors Detained by FDA Returning from Canada; Furor Builds Over Drug Pricing; Sound off on Drug Pricing and Reimportation; EEOC Oks Cuts to Retiree Health Benefits; Open Enrollment for Alliance Medigap Policy Ends April 30    more...  



Rx Drugs & Medicare

• Apr 20, 2004 Medicare    Medicare is the nation’s largest and most successful health insurance system, serving the health needs of 40 million senior and disabled beneficiaries. Yet, the 2003 Medicare law undermines the program and opens the door to privatization. Learn more about how the new law dismantles Medicare and...    more...  
• Apr 20, 2004 Prescription Drugs    Drug therapies have extended and enhanced the quality of life for many Americans, but remain too costly. Prescription drug costs cause financial hardship and impair the health and well-being of millions of older Americans. Despite passage of the 2003 Medicare law, which includes a modest drug...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Apr 16, 2004 April 16, 2004    Legalizing Reimportation Gathers Steam, and Opposition; "Pfix Pfizer" Protests on April 22; Senate Democrats Act to Repeal Parts of Medicare Law; Another Top GOP Aide Lobbying for PhRMA; Speak Out, Make Your Voice Heard!; Upcoming Alliance Events    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• Apr 7, 2004 2004 Congressional Voting Record    The year 2004 saw national political focus on congressional activity take a back seat to the presidential election. As busy as Congress was in 2003 on retiree issues with the Medicare prescription drug legislation, 2004 did not have as...    more...  



Friday Alerts

• Mar 30, 2004 February 20, 2004    Pharmaceutical Industry: The Octopus of the 21st Century; Pfizer Reduces Supplies to Canadian Pharmacies; Register Now for Alliance's Western Regional Conference; More Clarification on Drug Discount Cards; CBS Backs Down, Again; Alliance Supports Striking Grocery Workers in California    more...  
• Mar 30, 2004 February 13, 2004    Activists Deluge White House & Congress with Letters Against Medicare Ads; Companies Line Up to Offer Drug Discount Card; More Fallout Over Increased Cost of Drug Bill; Another Key Medicare Staffer Defects; Alliance Testifies on Behalf of Social Security; Alliance Supports AFA-CWA Retirees;...    more...  
• Mar 30, 2004 February 6, 2004    Alliance Launches Campaign Against Misleading Medicare Ads; Kourpias Says Bush Deceived Americans on Cost of Drug Bill; House Panel Probes Medicare Vote; Retiree Benefits Declining; Bush Sends $2.4 Trillion Budget to Congress    more...  
• Mar 5, 2004 January 30, 2004    Alliance Warns: "Seniors Will Hold Politicians Accountable"; Medicare Bill Rewards HMOs; Health Care: Major Concern in Election 2004; PhRMA Woos Tauzin; Senate Acts on Pension Relief; FDA Warns 3 Firms Against Reimportation    more...  
• Mar 5, 2004 January 23, 2004    Bush Puts Social Security Back on Chopping Block; Bush Record on Economy; Alliance to Conduct Regional Conferences; Two Approaches to Universal Health Care; Section 8 Housing Vouchers Threatened; Friday Alert Needs Your Help; CAN Expands Outreach to Community Seniors; Alliance Now Offers Medigap...    more...  
• Feb 23, 2004 Sign up for the Friday Alert today!    The Friday Alert is a free weekly newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on the news, issues and legislation important to older Americans. By signing up below, you can get a copy of this informative newsletter delivered to your email box every Friday. Read our current issues ....    more...  
• Feb 23, 2004 January 16, 2004    Seniors Deserve Facts Not Propaganda On Medicare Law; Fast Facts on Health Care Costs; Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Alliance Calls on Activists to Respond to President's "State of Union"Address; FDA Again Threatens Legal Action over Reimportation; Arizona Gets Alliance Charter;...    more...  
• Feb 13, 2004 January 9, 2004    Medicare Still High on Congressional Agenda; Election 2004: Time to Get Serious; Election 2004: Time to Get Serious; Tell Us What You Need to Know; Senate Fails to Act on Pensions; Boston to Move Ahead with Reimportation Plan    more...  
• Feb 11, 2004 December 19, 2003    Alliance Reaffirms Opposition to Medicare Bill; GOP Plans Major Campaign to Promote Medicare Bill; Alliance Now Accepts Online Credit Card Enrollment; AARP Withdraws from Social Security Forums; FDA Escalates Crackdown on Drug Reimportation; Interesting Tidbits    more...  
• Feb 11, 2004 December 12, 2003    Bush Signs Medicare Bill; Administration Issues Rules for Drug Discount Cards; New Hampshire to Defy FDA on Reimportation; Two More Medicare Officials Jump Ship; Why Private Competition Won't Work; Fast Facts on Health Benefits; Alliance Urges Seniors to "Speak Out" on Medicare Bill;...    more...  
• Feb 11, 2004 December 8, 2003    Alliance Sets Record Straight on Medicare Bill - Challenges ‘Facts’; Angry AARP Members Turn to Alliance; Scully Cashes in Before Ink is Dry on Medicare Bill; More Repercussions from FTAA Meeting    more...  



Congressional Voting Record

• Mar 2, 2003 2003 Congressional Voting Record    Click here to download the 2003 Voting Record This past session of Congress was a direct assault on the quality of life for retirees. Congress passed, and President Bush signed, legislation that creates a privatized Medicare drug program...    more...  
• Aug 29, 2002 2002 Congressional Voting Record    Click here to download the 2002 Voting Record This November 5, retirees and older Americans have the opportunity to make their voices heard loud and strong at the polling booth. America’s seniors traditionally vote in disproportionately...    more...  
• Aug 29, 2001 2001 Congressional Voting Record    Click here to download the 2001 Voting Record Retired Americans face challenges in their lives everyday. From prescription drug prices, to Medicare and Social Security payments, to housing and energy prices, older Americans know that...    more...  
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