"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 Laud Obama Remarks on Health Reform and Seniors
June 08, 2010
For Immediate Release
Retirees Laud Obama Remarks on Health Reform and Seniors
New Law Will Help Seniors Better Afford Doctor Visits, Prescription Drugs
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to a national tele-town hall President Obama held today to educate retirees on the new health reform law.
"President Obama is right: 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.
"Beginning this week, seniors who fall into the "doughnut hole" coverage gap in Medicare Part D can begin receiving $250 rebate checks from the federal government. This is the first step in the law closing the doughnut hole and helping the 3.4 million seniors in this category better afford the medicines they need.
"The Alliance for Retired Americans will continue to do all it can to educate seniors on how the new law helps them. Today we organized 25 events around the country for our members to watch and participate in President Obama’s town hall.
"In addition, the President of the Illinois Alliance, Barbara Franklin, had the opportunity to ask President Obama a question today. In doing so, she brought up that health care reform will end the practice of the federal government giving unfair, unnecessary subsidies to private insurers under Medicare Advantage.
"Our website - http://www.retiredamericans.org/ - and our free weekly newsletter provide fact sheets and information for retirees to share with others in their community.
"Retirees are grateful for President Obama's strong support for America's seniors and his personal commitment to helping them become better aware of the new law's many benefits. We look forward to working closely with the Administration to improve the well-being of America's retirees."
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Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org










