"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
Retiree Activists Celebrate Relief for Seniors with High Drug Costs
June 10, 2010
For Immediate Release
Retiree Activists Celebrate Relief for Seniors with High Drug Costs
Join Senators on Day $250 Rebate Checks Begin Going to Seniors
The following are prepared remarks for Barbara J. Easterling and Stella Johnson at a U.S. Senate press conference to mark the beginning of relief for seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" coverage gap. Ms. Easterling is President of the Alliance for Retired Americans and Ms. Johnson is a retired teacher from Washington DC who is in the doughnut hole.
Easterling:
I am glad to be here on a truly glorious day for America's seniors. Thanks to the historic health reform law Congress passed earlier this year, today is the day we begin to close the so-called "Doughnut Hole" coverage gap in Medicare Part D.
Because of a flaw in the 2003 Medicare prescription drug law, 3.4 million seniors must spend part of each year paying their full monthly Medicare premiums while receiving no benefits from the program.
Beginning today, seniors who fall into the doughnut hole will receive $250 rebate checks. This is the first step toward the complete closing of the doughnut hole.
Don't believe all the misinformation out there: the new health law is good for seniors. It will help them better afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and receive annual, life-saving preventive tests and screenings. Early retirees age 55-64 will finally be able to afford private health insurance. This new law will help Americans of all ages live longer, healthier lives.
Many seniors are still unaware of the specific ways this law will benefit them. We must all work together to make sure retirees know about these $250 rebate checks and all other parts of the new law.
On behalf of the 4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans, I want to thank the Democratic Leadership for all they have done to improve the lives of current and future retirees.
Johnson:
Good afternoon. My name is Stella Johnson. I am a retired school teacher from Washington DC and a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
I am here to tell you how delighted I am that the health care bill recently became law and that the benefits for seniors are already upon us. This new law is phasing out the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole," which means a lot to me and my family.
Along with over three million seniors, I am in this 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. It can be very hard to make ends meet and I have to make tough choices. Because prescriptions cost so much, I fall behind on bills.
The new health reform law will help me, my family, and my friends by phasing out this Medicare donut hole. Beginning today, seniors who find themselves in this situation will start receiving rebate checks in the mail for $250 dollars.
I want to thank the people who stood up for me and every senior in America when they supported the new health reform law.
# # #
Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org
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