"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
Retiree Tells Congress: Health Bill Can Lower Drug Costs for Seniors
March 18, 2010
For Immediate Release
Retiree Tells Congress: Health Bill Can Lower Drug Costs for Seniors
Will Close Medicare "Doughnut Hole" Coverage Gap
Washington DC - Retired school teacher Stella Johnson today appeared with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to urge support for the pending health reform bill.
"It is very hard for me to make ends meet. I have to choose between taking the medicines I need and paying my monthly bills," Ms. Johnson said at a U.S. Capitol press conference. Her full statement appears below.
"Stella Johnson is but one of millions of retirees struggling to get by. It is time to pass health care reform," said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
My name is Stella Johnson, and I am a retired school teacher from Washington DC. I am a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Like many seniors, I must take prescriptions every day to manage my high blood pressure and cholesterol.
But unfortunately, along with over three million seniors, I am in what is known as the Medicare Donut Hole.
For several months of the year, I have to pay full price for my prescription drugs even though I am still paying my Medicare premiums. In other words, I pay money but get nothing in return.
It is very hard for me to make ends meet. I have to choose between taking the medicines I need and paying my monthly bills.
Because my prescriptions cost so much, I fall behind on some of my bills. When I get hit with late penalties, things get even worse.
The health care bill will help seniors like me who struggle every day to afford the prescriptions they must have.
Retirees all across the country desperately need this bill to pass right away.
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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.










