House GOP Agenda Leaves Seniors with Unanswered Questions

September 23, 2010

For Immediate Release                         Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275
September 23, 2010                                           dblank@retiredamericans.org  

 

Voters Should Demand “the Whole Truth” on Social Security, Medicare


The following statement was issued by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired American, in response to the “Pledge to America” released today by U.S. House Republicans:
 
“Today’s agenda provides few specifics for voters concerned about Social Security and Medicare. Seniors need more than buzzwords and bromides to pay their bills, see a doctor, or fill a prescription.

“Conspicuously absent from today’s plan are both aspiring-Speaker John Boehner’s pledge to increase the Social Security retirement age to 70, and also the “Roadmap” of the Budget Committee’s Paul Ryan which would let Wall Street run a privatized Social Security and end Medicare as we know it.

“This fall older voters should press their local GOP candidates for greater detail on Social Security.  Do they support raising the retirement age?  Would they cut benefits?  Would they privatize Social Security and tie it to the uncertainty and greed on Wall Street?

“Today’s call to ‘repeal and replace’ the new health law leaves seniors wondering just what would happen to closing Medicare’s “doughnut hole” coverage gap.  Would the Republicans stop payment on the over 1 million rebate checks that help seniors better afford their prescriptions drugs?  Are they opposed to the new law’s free tests and screenings for life-threatening diseases?  Would they repeal new long-term care insurance for middle-class families?  How would they replace the new financial assistance that helps early retirees with health coverage?

“Many seniors are struggling to get by, and workers of all ages are wondering when, if ever, they will get to retire. Current and future retirees have every right to demand the whole truth out of candidates for office this year.”

Download GOP Agenda Press Release