"Raising the retirement age would inflict further hardship among a group of workers who are likely to face health and economic problems in their 60s." –Doug Hart, President, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
"Of all the lies and confusion that still surround the Affordable Care Act, perhaps the greatest is that it is bad for seniors." - Dave Meinell, President, Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans
"My father died when I was three. Because of Social Security (survivors) benefits, my Mom, my younger sister and I survived." – Diane Fleming, DC Alliance Member
"We fear that Congress will balance the budget on the backs of the 98 percent, which is working Montanans and retired Montanans. We simply cannot afford these devastating cuts to vital services such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid," –John Forkan, President, Montana Alliance for Retired Americans
"Along with national parks and Social Security, Medicare is one of the best ideas we Americans have ever devised." -Tim Cunningham, New Mexico Alliance Member
"Seniors have earned and deserve their Social Security checks, and they shouldn't have to go to Congress every 10 years and beg for the program to be renewed." –James Parent, Alliance for Retired Americans Regional Board Member
"Today's retirees paid Medicare and Social Security taxes in every paycheck we ever earned. Now that we are retired, these programs help us to be able to stay healthy and pay our bills. They are the promise we make to people who worked hard all their lives, and we need to keep that promise for today’s workers." –Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
"Today's seniors want to lower the budget deficit. We do not want a large debt to be the legacy we leave to future generations, but we should not punish people who have paid Social Security taxes all their lives." –Jim Moore, President, North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans
"Social Security should remain what it has been for 77 years – a solid, reliable way that generations of workers have been able to retire with dignity, economic security, and peace of mind." –Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The fight for Social Security and Medicare is part of a larger fight for justice and fairness"—Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The health insurance reform helps not just seniors, but also middle-class families and young Americans, who are just starting to see the benefits. Don’t let Republicans take all that away." –Don Rowen, President Emeritus, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
"Honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare should not be a partisan issue. Honoring the contributions that we make throughout our working years so that we may feed and clothe ourselves, keep a roof over our heads and those of our family, there is no reason for that to be a hotly contested partisan issue." –Edward Coyle, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans
"We need to make sure that people who need Social Security to make ends meet will have it, and not fall victim to ill-informed and unnecessary cuts to these vital programs."
–Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
Retirees Praise Obama Health Reform Proposal Takes Several Key Steps to Address Seniors' Needs
February 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
Retirees Praise Obama Health Reform Proposal
Takes Several Key Steps to Address Seniors' Needs
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to the health insurance reform proposals unveiled today by President Obama.
"The health insurance reform proposal released today by President Obama contains several major steps toward improving the health and well-being of current and future retirees.
"President Obama's plan recognizes the millions of seniors who are struggling to afford to see a doctor or get a prescription filled. Today's proposal would close the 'doughnut hole' coverage gap in Medicare Part D, make long-term care more affordable for middle-class families, and finally end the $3.60 per month every senior pays in higher premiums to subsidize the big insurance corporations who run Medicare Advantage.
"We are pleased that the proposal significantly delays the excise tax on some health insurance benefits. This tax, which the Alliance strongly opposes, would disproportionately harm retirees and older workers, as it may lead employers to eliminate or greatly reduce coverage for this age group. Moreover, these are individuals who sacrificed wage increases over the years in exchange for retiree health coverage.
"President Obama took a bold step today toward ending the gridlock in Washington that has delayed meaningful health reform. For retirees, continued inaction would be devastating. Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs would soon eat up more than one-third of a retiree's Social Security benefits. A typical older couple would need to save $300,000 for medical bills not covered by Medicare.
"Help cannot come soon enough. We urge all participating in this week's White House health reform summit to take bold, swift action to help Americans of all ages."
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Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org
The Alliance for Retired Americans is a national organization that advocates for the rights and well being of over 4 million retirees and their families.










