"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
Press Releases
Ohio Retired Americans to Congressman Dennis Kucinich: “Stop Medicare from Bleeding Out”
March 12, 2010
Ohio Retired Americans to Congressman Dennis Kucinich:
“Stop Medicare from Bleeding Out”
The following statement was issued today by David Friesner, President of the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans in reacting to recent remarks by Congressman Kucinich on the pending vote:
The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans and its members call on Congressman Kucinich to stop Medicare from bleeding out. In 2003 Representative Kucinich voted against the Medicare Modernization Act as fiscally irresponsible and unresponsive to the needs of the aging population. The Alliance for Retired Americans agreed with him then and asks that he vote for the health insurance reform legislation now in front of the Congress.
The Medicare Trust fund continues to bleed because of the fiscally negligent Congress of 2003. The ability of those over 65 to continue to have health insurance coverage is now jeopardized by failing to pay then for the “advantage” program and failing to adequately fund the prescription drug program. The Health Insurance Reform legislation now up for a vote in Congress extends the life of Medicare to 2022, provides additional funding to pay for services, and encourages better outcomes through prevention.
No action now means the Medicare Trust Fund runs out of money sooner. Estimates for the Medicare Trust Fund default range from 2017 to 2014.
It is reported in Ohio newspapers that Medicare ‘advantage” plans lead their insurance corporations in yielding profits and yet retirees and seniors are being hit with an average 14% increase in premiums. The Medicare Rx Drug “donut hole” persists in gouging retirees with increased pricing and lack of insurance coverage. Limits on low-income subsidies stand in the way of many affording health care. Providing for long-term care continues to burden us as individuals and family care givers. The prospect of paying a tax because we are older workers or early retirees with more health issues and higher premiums is less than helpful in planning for retirement.
Congressman Kucinich has a consistent record of working for older workers, retirees, and seniors. The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans appreciates his work for retirement security and sees his vote for this health insurance reform as another positive step to bring better health care to all Ohioans.
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