Friday Alerts

Retirees Would Pay an Extra $20,000 if Supreme Court Overturns Health Reform

David Blank — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:50:20 -0400

Retirees may pay about $20,000 more for medical care if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the 2010 health care overhaul, according to a report from Fidelity Investments. Passage of the health law saved money for seniors, who among other benefits gained additional coverage for prescription drugs and free preventive care. The cost of losing those benefits, should the court overturn the law, would be about $20,000 before their deaths, according to Sunit Patel, senior vice president for Fidelity Benefits Consulting and the leader of the project.

The Supreme Court is weighing whether the law’s requirement that most Americans have health insurance is constitutional, and if not, how much of the law to overturn. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the likely Republican nominee for president in November’s election, has said he would repeal the entire law “as quickly as possible” should he take office. According to Bloomberg News, the court may preserve the drug benefit for seniors, which closes the gap in Medicare’s coverage for prescription medicines known as the “doughnut hole.” About 78 percent of people polled by the Kaiser Family Foundation in April said they held a favorable view of that provision. “We have a dollar figure in hand on how much more seniors are likely to pay if health care reform is struck down or repealed,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “It is just plain wrong to say that repeal would benefit seniors.” (More at http://buswk.co/JTMja2)

Voters Go to the Polls in Four States, Including Wisconsin and Indiana

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday in Wisconsin, Indiana, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Among the results: Mayor Tom Barrett of Milwaukee won the Democratic primary for the right to take on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) in a recall election to be held on June 5. In addition, Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana lost a challenge from the right flank of his own Republican Party, his nearly four-decade career in the Senate ended by a tea party-backed GOP foe, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Mourdock will face Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly in the general election. Democrats promise a competitive race as they seek to deny Republicans the four seats they need to take control of the Senate.

“Sen. Lugar had a reputation for bipartisan deal-making, but not on seniors’ issues,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “His lifetime voting record with the Alliance was 10% - meaning that 15 of the current Republican Senators voted in seniors’ best interests more often than he did.”

House Republican Budget Reconciliation Vote a Threat to Seniors’ Well-Being

On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, by a vote of 218-199. No Democrats voted for the bill, and 16 Republicans voted against it. For a tally of the vote, go to http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll247.xml. Most seriously, the vote eliminated the $1.7 billion Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and cut Medicare and Medicaid for seniors.

“Preserving the SSBG would provide Meals on Wheels to seniors unable to prepare their own food; adult day care services, which enable seniors to remain in their own homes; and funding for programs such as adult foster care and adult protective services, which address the abuse and exploitation of older adults,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. To read his complete statement, go to http://bit.ly/JFA3yp.

“Cheat Sheet” Available: What to Say at Town Halls!

Do you want to be active in protecting Social Security and Medicare, but aren’t always sure what to say? The Alliance has created a concise 2-page document with suggestions on what questions to ask. For instance, see if your elected officials support turning Medicare into a voucher program! View the document by going to http://bit.ly/JFvHaD.

107 Charged in Medicare Fraud Busts in 7 Cities

ABC News reported that federal authorities charged 107 doctors, nurses and social workers in seven cities with Medicare fraud last week, in a nationwide crackdown on unrelated scams that allegedly bilked the program of $452 million — the highest dollar amount in a single Medicare bust in U.S. history. Hundreds of federal agents fanned out nationally, raiding businesses, seizing documents and charging 107 suspects in Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, Chicago, Tampa, Fla., and Baton Rouge, La. The government suspended payment to 52 providers as part of the investigations.

“It was the latest in a string of major arrests in the past two years as authorities have targeted fraud that’s believed to cost the government between $60 billion and $90 billion each year,” according to ABC. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder partnered in 2009 to increase enforcement by allocating more money and staff and going after “fraud hot spots.” Community mental health centers are the latest trend in Medicare fraud, which has developed more complex schemes over the years, moving from medical equipment and HIV infusion fraud to ambulance scams, as criminals try to stay one step ahead of authorities. To read more, go to http://abcn.ws/IQNYmn.

Maine Alliance Holds its Founding Convention

The Maine Alliance for Retired Americans held its founding convention on Thursday. Elected as leaders were: Don Berry – President; Bruce Hodsdon – Vice President; Ed Keefe, Treasurer; and Archie Janvrin, Secretary. Sandra Crehore, Paul Gilbert, Richard Gordon, Diane Grandmaison, and Charlie Urquhart were elected to the board.

Richard Fiesta, Director of the Department of Government and Political Affairs for the Alliance, spoke at the Maine convention and also at the New Hampshire Alliance’s Educational Forum in Manchester on Wednesday. Educational forums were held this week in Wake Forest, North Carolina and Oak Creek, Appleton, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, as well.

Florida Alliance Helps Dedicate Senior Housing in Miami

Florida Alliance President Tony Fransetta attended the re-dedication of the Mildred and Claude Pepper Towers on Tuesday in Miami. An Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corporation board member, Mr. Fransetta gave an inspiring speech and participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. To see video footage, go to http://bit.ly/IYrM9D.

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Alliance Members Prepare for 2012 Elections at Southern Regional Meeting

Laura Markwardt — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:50:54 -0400

Over 70 Alliance members from southern states gathered this week in Orlando for workshops and presentations to help educate and mobilize retirees for this fall’s elections. Retiree activists participated in training sessions to learn the latest developments on Social Security and Medicare; how to use the media and new on-line communications tools to reach seniors in their community; and how to strengthen their grassroots organizing and fund-raising efforts.

Speakers included Florida Alliance President Tony Fransetta, national Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks, Executive Director Edward F. Coyle, and Government and Political Affairs Director Rich Fiesta, who outlined 2012 electoral issues and strategies and the importance of the senior vote; Ben Belton from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Trishala Deb from Caring Across Generations, and Krystal Knight from the Medicare Rights Center, who discussed improving health care for current and future retirees; Steve Walker from the Democratic National Committee, who cited the party’s accomplishments for seniors; Cindy Smalls of the AFL-CIO, who discussed new state voting laws that could suppress turnout; and Nolan Harrison III of the National Football Players Association, who spoke of his union’s solidarity across the broad labor movement and announced that the group has formally affiliated with the Alliance.

Alliance members elected four activists to the group’s Regional Board – Martina “Marty” Alvarado, Bill Cea, Emmett Sheppard, and Kenneth Stevens. Check out photos of the meeting at http://bit.ly/IuNBhk.

Sign-Up Today for Alliance’s Northeast Regional Meeting
Join fellow retiree activists May 14-16 in Philadelphia for Training Seniors to Win, the 2012 Northeast Regional Meeting of the Alliance for Retired Americans. The training workshops and presentations will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen your skills as an activist. For more information, please call 202/637-5377 or visit www.RetiredAmericans.org.

Romney Assails Obama Support for Labor
On the eve of International Workers Day, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized President Barack Obama’s support for the American labor movement, with a campaign spokeswoman saying that the President has, “chosen to put the interests of big labor ahead of the interests of America's workers and job creators.” In response, the AFL-CIO released a new video, Mr. 1%, http://bit.ly/Jly9hM that compiles Mr. Romney’s policy stances and public statements on workers and the economy, including quotes such as “I like to fire people,” “let Detroit go bankrupt,” and “corporations are people.”

Mr. Obama spoke this week at a meeting of the AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades Department and expressed his strong opposition to the so-called “Right to Work” laws that have either passed or are under consideration in a number of states. “I believe the economy is stronger when collective bargaining rights are protected,” the president said http://1.usa.gov/K57TLH.

Earlier this week, the Romney campaign told The Hill newspaper that former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Peter Schaumber is no longer advising the campaign http://bit.ly/JukXqE. Recent media accounts have alleged that Schaumber inappropriately received confidential information from a current NLRB member regarding a pending matter before the board. “Mitt Romney and his partners at Bain Capital have destroyed workers lives by buying up companies, slashing jobs and retiree benefits, and then selling off what is left behind. For workers and retirees, the contrast between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama could not be more clear,” said Ruben J. Burks, the Alliance’s Secretary-Treasurer.

Rep. Ryan Says Budget Plan “Saves the American Dream”
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee, said last weekend that his budget proposal, which dramatically slashes Medicare and Medicaid, “saves the American Dream” through fiscal austerity http://bit.ly/KYBSI6. The proposal, which passed the House earlier this year, would cut health care for senior citizens in order to pay for more tax breaks for big corporations and for the wealthiest Americans. Seniors on Medicare would be given inadequate vouchers to either buy health coverage in the costly, unfair private insurance market, or purchase coverage from a Medicare program that would be badly weakened by the exodus of younger, healthier retirees. Moreover, the budget plan would turn Medicaid over to cash-strapped states, gutting a program that is the only way over 70 percent of seniors can afford long-term or nursing home care. “The Ryan budget would destroy the American Dream by jeopardizing seniors’ health care and economic security in what should be their golden years,” said Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling. Please share the Alliance’s new fact sheet on the Ryan plan by visiting http://bit.ly/JQbEUh.

Affordable Care Act Has Saved Seniors $3.4 Billion on Prescriptions
A new report out by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) says that the 2010 Affordable Care Act has helped seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare save a total of $3.4 billion on prescription drugs from the enactment of the law through March of 2012 http://go.cms.gov/IuOPJf. According to CMS, in the first three months of 2012 alone, more than 220,000 people saved an average of $837 on the prescription drugs they purchased after they hit the prescription drug donut hole, for a total of $184.5 million in savings. The federal agency noted that in 2010 and 2011, more than 5.1 million people with Medicare saved over $3.2 billion on prescription drugs. “This is yet another reminder that President Obama’s health law is good for seniors. But too many seniors do not know this – we must redouble our efforts to educate our friends and neighbors,” said Alliance Executive Director Edward F. Coyle, who encourages Alliance members to widely share the organization’s latest fact sheet on the issue http://bit.ly/IJ9oCt.

For a printable version, click here.

Report: Media Coverage Skews Social Security Debate

Laura Markwardt — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:37:21 -0400

A new report from the noted Columbia Journalism Review concludes that on Social Security, “much of the press has reported only one side of this story using ‘facts’ that are misleading or flat-out wrong, while ignoring others.” The study was particularly critical of Washington Post reporters and columnists for dramatically overstating Social Security’s fiscal challenges. The authors said that, while Social Security is not in perfect health, “the one-sided reporting on this issue has influenced the way millions of Americans, especially younger ones, now think about Social Security.” Commenting on the report, Alliance Secretary-Treasurer Ruben J. Burks said, “this is yet another reminder of how, particularly in an election year, Alliance members must help their friends and neighbors separate fact from fiction in the media and politics,” he said. To read the report, visit http://bit.ly/HTjMFG.

New Social Security, Medicare Projections No Excuse for Radical Changes
Reacting to new reports on the health of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds, Alliance Executive Director Edward F. Coyle warns retirees to be wary of politicians who would use these reports as, “political cover for radical changes that would put seniors at risk while enriching Wall Street and the big health insurance companies.” Social Security, according to its Trustees, has a $2.7 trillion surplus, enough to fully meet the demands of a growing retiree cohort through 2033. With no action from Congress, it would cover most benefits through 2086. The Alliance supports an effort by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) to significantly boost the Social Security Trust Fund by requiring the nation’s highest wage earners to pay Social Security taxes at the same rate as middle class workers.

The Trustees report for Medicare noted that its Trust Fund, which covers hospital care, can fully pay benefits through 2024, and cover most benefits through 2085. Coyle noted that the 2010 Affordable Care Act set in motion several bold steps to lower Medicare costs through greater emphasis on preventive care and eliminating subsidies to private insurance companies. These approaches, Coyle said, are in stark contrast to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s proposals to raise the eligibility age, reduce benefits, and radically change Medicare in a way that generates even greater profits for health insurance companies. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/I6lFk9.

2012 Congressional Races: Pro-Seniors Candidate Wins in PA, Coyle Outlines Plans to Machinists
U.S. Representative Mark Critz (D-PA), endorsed by the Alliance and many other progressive groups, defeated U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in a Tuesday congressional primary that was caused by redistricting. The Alliance reached out to its members in southwestern Pennsylvania to educate them on Critz’100 percent lifetime rating on the Alliance’s voting record, as well as Altimire’s vote against the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which helps retirees better afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription.

Also this week, Mr. Coyle traveled to Las Vegas to speak to a group of retirees with the International Association of Machinists. Coyle presented legislative and political updates on Social Security and Medicare and outlined the Alliance’s plans for grassroots education and mobilization between now and Election Day. He urged attendees to quickly combat misinformation campaigns on TV and on the internet that try to scare and mislead seniors, an age group that votes at a greater rate than any others.

Voting Law Changes: NH Alliance Highlights Taxpayer Cost, Civil Rights Group Publishes Manual for Activists
In a leading southeast New Hampshire newspaper, state Alliance president Charles Balban wrote of the high taxpayer cost of a bill in the state legislature to require a government-issued photo identification to vote. Balban said it would cost $800,000 to educate Granite State residents on what he termed “a radical change in our centuries-old voting tradition.” Balban added that this figure does not include the cost of producing the new ID cards, as well as the daunting logistical barriers facing seniors living in remote parts of the state. Visit http://bit.ly/InfG4n for his full column.

Also this week, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law produced a handbook for how state and local organizations can help educate and assist prospective voters, particularly minorities and the elderly, who will be greatly affected by these new laws. The guide, available at http://bit.ly/HYmB5Y, calls the rash of state voter ID laws, “a costly solution in search of a problem that only serves to effectively disenfranchise certain voters.” A study by New York University concluded that one is more likely to be a victim of a lightning strike than someone voting under their name. Alliance members will learn more about new voter ID laws at two upcoming Regional Meetings, April 30-May 2 in Orlando and May 14-16 in Philadelphia. Register today at http://bit.ly/yiqB8n or call 202/637-5377.

Connecticut Alliance Members Rally, Lobby at State Capitol
Advocating for a series of state legislative bills to strengthen seniors’ economic well-being and ability to live independently in their own communities, over 100 Connecticut Alliance members and others gathered on Tuesday in Hartford for the state Alliance’s “Senior Day at the Capitol.” Retirees made lobby visits to their elected officials and gathered under the capitol dome for a rally that featured state legislative leaders and retiree and labor activists.

Speaking at the rally, Connecticut Alliance President Cal Bunnell pointed to two empty rocking chairs alongside the podium, and said, “these are empty because we are not sitting in our rockers, we are active and working hard." Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling urged attendees to put the day’s lobbying in a larger context, saying, “everything we fight for – state legislation in Hartford, Social Security and Medicare in Washington, and collective bargaining in the workplace – is part of the larger fight for justice and fairness.”

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Buffett Rule, CEO PayWatch Website Address Economic Unfairness

David Blank — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:51:41 -0400

The “Buffett Rule” - the Democratic-authored effort to impose a minimum tax on millionaires - failed on a largely partisan Senate vote on Monday. The 51 to 45 procedural vote fell short by 9 votes, since 60 are needed to cut off debate. One Republican, Maine's Susan Collins, added her vote in favor to those of 49 Democrats and one Independent. Arkansas’ Mark Pryor was the only Democrat who voted with Republicans to block consideration of the measure. The “rule” is named for Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor who has said his secretary pays taxes at a higher rate than he does. Monday’s vote came the day before the filing deadline for federal income tax returns. Democrats want to end the current disparity by generally imposing at least a 30 percent tax on millionaires - more than twice the rate that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a multimillionaire, paid in 2010. “We need millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes, or else our political opponents will try to balance the budget on the backs of seniors,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “We have already seen what those attempts look like. They are a key piece of the Paul Ryan Budget.”

Unfairness embedded in the tax code isn’t the only way that earners in the top 1% tend to make out like bandits. This year’s launch of the AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch website – CEO Pay and the 99% -- features lots of sharable information, graphics and powerful data. Available at http://bit.ly/HXifOo, CEO Pay and the 99% contains the most comprehensive info accessible on executive pay, with all of the available 2011 data searchable by industry, by state and by the top 100 highest paid CEOs. Apple CEO Timothy Cook made the most – nearly $378 million! Also noted on the site: The widening gap between CEO and worker pay. Last year, the ratio of CEO-to-worker pay widened to an astonishing 380 times. In 1980, CEOs of large U.S. companies made 42 times the average wages of workers.

Kaiser Report Focuses on Economic and Health Security of Seniors

As policymakers seek to reduce the nation’s budget deficit by making changes to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, they often fail to consider how choices in each area interact and affect the economic security of seniors, according to an issue brief by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Foundation released its report documenting the health and economic insecurity facing seniors last week. It looks at Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid as interrelated, shining a light on the grave consequences that cutting even one program would have for all of the programs and the seniors who rely on them. For example, increasing how much seniors must pay for premiums under Medicare would result in health care expenses absorbing a larger share of retirees’ income and savings, putting them at greater financial risk. Similarly, constraining the growth in annual Social Security payments would mean less income available to pay for health care costs. Such changes would also disproportionately affect seniors with low-to-moderate incomes, who are more likely to be women, black and Hispanic.

When policymakers consider options to decrease spending, they should take into account the overall effects of proposals on seniors’ ability to pay for needed health care and essential living expenses, the authors state. The issue brief is based on a 2011 roundtable, convened by Kaiser, of experts from the income, retirement security and health policy fields. For a link to the report and the text of the abstract, go to http://bit.ly/IRSXgR. For a pdf of the report, go to http://bit.ly/IBrZf1.

Affordable Senior Health Insurance to Supplement Medicare

As a reminder, affordable insurance supplemental to Medicare is available through the Retiree Health Plan endorsed by the Alliance for union retirees. The Open Enrollment period is currently in effect through April 30, 2012! During this period, these Medicare-eligible retirees and their spouses are guaranteed acceptance with no waiting periods, regardless of preexisting health conditions. If you have questions or would like to enroll in the program, please call 1-866-298-9117. You can also visit www.araretireehealth.com to get more information.

Raising the Social Security Retirement Age Would Increase Income Inequality

A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) examines the impact of raising the Social Security retirement age and its effect on the distribution of wealth from loss of future Social Security benefits. “An increase in the retirement age by one year leads to a cut in benefits of 6 to 7%.” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “Despite that fact, some politicians still want to raise the retirement age as high as 70.”

The report, “The Impact on Inequality of Raising the Social Security Retirement Age,” projects the impact of a gradual increase of the normal retirement age on various demographic groups, looking at each quintile of the wealth distribution, as well as the richest 1 percent. These projections demonstrate that Social Security income is a much larger share of wealth for the bottom four of the five groups. As a result, increasing the retirement age would also increase income inequality. The paper contains separate projections for homeowners and non-homeowners, single individuals and couples in several age cohorts. To see the report, go to http://bit.ly/I2NTbR.

Obituaries: Bernard “B” Rapoport and Priscilla King

American Income Life insurance company founder Bernard "B" Rapport, a lifelong champion of workers' rights and later a supporter of the Alliance for Retired Americans, has died at the age of 94. “B's devoted activism and generous philanthropy helped not only seniors, but also the labor movement overall,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance.

The Alliance also lost another friend this week: Priscilla King of Bow, New Hampshire - who spoke on behalf of the Alliance on Capitol Hill in 2009 - died last weekend. Ms. King, along with her husband, had gone into debt due to the doughnut hole gap in prescription drug coverage, and therefore spoke out in favor of health care reform. Here is a video of Ms. King: http://bit.ly/I7FH7I.

Alliance Members in the South, Northeast Can Still Register for Regional Meetings

While the Alliance’s regional meetings in the West and Midwest have already taken place, it is not too late to register for the Southern Regional Meeting in Orlando that begins on April 30, or the Northeast Regional Meeting, which begins in Philadelphia on May 14. For more information, or to register, go to http://www.retiredamericans.org/state-by-state/2012_Regional_Meetings.

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Wall Street Journal Gives Lay of the Land on Senior Vote in 2012

David Blank — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:11:53 -0400

The battle for seniors in 2012 is being fought in large part over Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) House Republican budget, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal. The article states that Democrats can regain support from older voters who switched to the GOP in 2008 and 2010 by shedding light on the Republicans’ plans to revamp Medicare (http://on.wsj.com/HM4ulJ).

“That ‘revamping’ would be drastic, because it would give seniors a small voucher, or coupon, to purchase coverage in an expensive, unfair private insurance market,” said Edward F. Coyle Executive Director of the Alliance.

According to the Journal, Mitt Romney, the most likely candidate to be the Republican nominee for President, is proving to be a formidable competitor in this battle. Romney has drawn large shares of older voters during the primaries, and recent polls show him ahead of President Obama among seniors in swing states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Over the last decade, voters over age 65 have increasingly turned to the GOP - a stark contrast to the Democratic-leaning “Greatest Generation” that preceded them. In 2008, Mr. Obama improved on his party's 2004 showing among every age group, except seniors. An analysis by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center for the People and the Press concluded that those over-65 are now “more conservative on social issues, angrier about the direction of the country and more uneasy about the growth of diversity in the U.S. than younger generations.”

“We need to draw attention to the GOP plan to end Medicare as we know it. Conservatives broadly support doing that, but moderates and independents are wary of it,” said Mr. Coyle.

Wisconsin Alliance Welcomes Secretary Sebelius to Milwaukee Senior Center

About 250 seniors turned out in Milwaukee on Wednesday for a discussion with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius. The Secretary was at the Washington Park Senior Center to draw attention to the provisions in health care reform that benefit the 49 million people - including 650,000 in Wisconsin - who are covered by Medicare. Wisconsin Alliance President Leon Burzynski facilitated a panel discussion on the Affordable Care Act at the event. According to HHS, 59,345 people in Wisconsin received a 50% discount on prescription drugs when they hit the doughnut hole last year, with savings averaging $639 a person, and a total savings of $37.9 million statewide.

White House Derides Health Care Study

White House officials expressed disdain for a new study released by policy analyst Charles Blahous, who was a special assistant for economic policy in the George W. Bush administration. Blahous claims that the 2010 health care law will add $340 billion to the deficit. Jeanette Lambrew, President Obama’s deputy assistant for health policy, asserts that the claim fits old patterns of mischaracterizations about the Affordable Care Act and that official estimates show the health care law will ultimately reduce the deficit (http://bit.ly/HDkhpt).

On Tuesday, presidential press secretary Jay Carney referred to Blahous’ report as “obviously a partisan analysis.” Carney pointed to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget indicating that the Affordable Care Act would reduce the deficit over the first 10 years and dramatically over the next 10 years.

Rep. Allen West Says That Dozens of his Democratic Colleagues are Communists

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) warned constituents at a Tuesday town hall event that he's “heard” that 80 of his Democratic colleagues in the House are members of the Communist Party, the Palm Beach Post reported. There are currently 190 House Democrats.

“As a Representative from a state with such a large senior population, Rep. West should instead be focusing on strengthening Medicare and Social Security,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “He has a zero lifetime voting record with the Alliance, and these ideological side shows are distracting him from what his constituents really need.”

A tea party favorite, Rep. West made news in 2011 by saying, “…I was the only black member of a white supremacist motorcycle gang.” (http://bit.ly/sU3KJg).

Alliance Members Work to Save America’s Postal Service

Alliance members turned out on Thursday to support the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), which had put together events across the country in order to save America's Postal Service. NALC held the demonstrations outside of Senate offices in order to put pressure on each senator to oppose S. 1789, a Senate bill scheduled to be voted on as soon as next week. If S. 1789 were to become law, it would hurt retirees and the Postal Service by putting an end to six-day mail delivery in two years, while phasing out door-to-door mail delivery. Many retirees receive their needed prescriptions by mail, and these proposed changes would threaten their well-being. Alliance members also called their senators about the legislation on Thursday.

Norm Wernet Honored at Ohio Convention

On Tuesday, the Ohio Alliance held its Spring Convention in Columbus. National Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling sent a letter that was read at the convention, congratulating Alliance Field Organizer for Ohio Norm Wernet on his upcoming retirement. “Whenever I have joined you for labor and retiree events in Ohio, I have always been struck by the large turnout of dedicated, politically savvy Ohio Alliance members that you have organized...(W)e hope that you enjoy the same relaxing, healthy, and happy retirement that you have worked so hard for others to have,” wrote Ms. Easterling.

Easterling Addresses Communications Workers in Maryland

Ms. Easterling was in Beltsville, Maryland on Wednesday to address the CWA Local 2108 Retired Members Council. She warned the attendees, “We cannot be the last generation of Americans who ever gets to retire. We cannot let this happen.”

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Parts of Wisconsin's Controversial Anti-Collective Bargaining Law are Struck Down

David Blank — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:24:49 -0400

Two parts of the controversial Wisconsin law that severely curbs collecting bargaining rights were overturned last Friday by a federal judge, giving a partial victory to union members, retirees, and activists who have struggled to retain their rights. The two parts struck down would have banned public workers from allowing union dues to be taken out of their paychecks and required annual recertification votes agreed upon by all members in order to stay organized.

“Retirees and workers have really stuck together to go up against Governor Scott Walker,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Retirees know how important collective bargaining is – the better you work, the better you retire.”

Wisconsin elections officials said last week that nearly 901,000 signatures were collected on petitions to recall Gov. Walker (R) from office, more than enough for an election to be ordered. A primary for that election is set for May 8, followed by a general election June 5. At least three Democrats are running for governor, making a primary likely. Recall drives against Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and four GOP state senators were launched in response to the anti-collective bargaining law the Governor and the Republican-led Legislature enacted last year.

State Chapter Update: Michigan, New Hampshire

Last Friday, approximately 130 retiree delegates convened to found the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (MiARA). The newly-chartered Michigan Alliance has its work cut out for it in 2012, as it engages in important state and federal legislative initiatives affecting the retirement security of older Michiganders.

The founding convention attendees heard from U.S. Rep. John Conyers; State Sen. Vincent Gregory; Brenda Moon, MI AFL-CIO Regional Field Rep.; and several representatives from the Alliance for Retired Americans including Barbara J. Easterling, Alliance President; Ruben Burks, Alliance Secretary-Treasurer; Dani Pere, Alliance Field Mobilization Director, and Rich Fiesta, Alliance Director of the Department of Government and Political Affairs.

The following officers were elected: President – Dick Long; Executive Vice President – Henry Lykes; First Vice President – Judy Foster; Treasurer – Charlie Robinson; and Secretary – Richard McInerney.

Mr. Long said, “Retirees in Michigan must take heed. Our Governor’s exacted attacks on pensions and workers’ rights threaten to unravel what we worked our whole lives to create.”

Ms. Easterling said, “Michigan is the Alliance’s 32nd chartered state. Seniors in Michigan will help shape the future of Social Security and Medicare. This year and beyond, we will do everything we can to help seniors separate fact from fiction.”

Also, in Nashua, New Hampshire on Monday, Mr. Fiesta spoke to Alliance members on the topic, “What’ll Congress do with Medicare?”

Single Retirees Often Face Extra Challenges

The Wall Street Journal blogged recently about the financial difficulties that many single retirees face late in life at http://on.wsj.com/wCUW0s. Rising numbers of older adults are finding themselves single – almost half (43%) of Americans who are 65 or older, according to a 2011 U.S. Census Bureau report. In that age group, 27% are widowed, 12% are divorced or separated, and 4% never married.

Midlife divorce is on the rise: Think tank BMO Retirement Institute estimates that 44% of U.S. marriages will end before the couple’s 30th anniversary. Retirees who find themselves suddenly single face one significant disadvantage: Their income typically drops without their partner’s Social Security or pension, but many expenses stay fixed. Examples: rent or mortgage, property taxes, home maintenance and repairs, car and gas, and utilities. And they may incur new costs replacing chores done by their partner, such as lawn-mowing, tax preparation or cooking.

So what’s a single retiree to do? Be vigilant about making sure you’re balancing income and expenses, BMO says. When your expenses are outpacing your income, they recommend trying to make changes rather than draw down on reserves. They suggest downsizing your housing, sharing a home with friends, or lightening your insurance coverage.

Something on Your Mind? Write Letter, Win Pen!

Is there something you want retirees in your community to know about? Take a moment to write a letter to the editor, and if it is published, the Alliance will send you a free, union-made “Retirees with the Write Stuff” pen. “Letters to the editor are free and are often widely read,” said Mr. Burks. “With the deep-pocketed business interests we are up against, it’s nice to have an option that doesn’t cost money.” Most recently, Charlie Averill, Janice Ayres, Bruce Bostick, Sam Burnett, Leon Burzynski, Doug Curler, Robert Dougherty, Robert Erzen, Jean Friday, Dave Friesner, Gary Hall, Jo Jacobson, Earline Jones, Don Rowen, Gene Roza, William Stevens, Linda Stone, and Charlie Williams contributed to their local papers. If you have had a letter published lately, please e-mail aracommunications@retiredamericans.org.

American Story Bank

Do you have an interesting personal story to tell? Something involving your prescription drugs, your finances, or perhaps your relationship with your grandchildren? Let us know. The Alliance is collecting stories for when reporters contact us. We will check our database and do our best to connect seniors with reporters who are looking for a particular type of senior to round out a story – or to profile. Please send story bank e-mails, also, to aracommunications@retiredamericans.org.

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Seniors, Others Await Fate of Health Reform as Supreme Court Hears Arguments

David Blank — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:24:01 -0400

Seniors were among the many supporters and opponents of the 2010 health care law keeping a close eye on the Supreme Court this week, as the court heard oral arguments on the case to overturn the Affordable Care Act. At the center of the case is whether the mandate to buy health insurance is constitutional. In arguing their side in the press, supporters of the law highlighted all of the benefits that millions of Americans have received thanks to the law’s provisions. The Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans was one of several organizations present at the front of the Supreme Court this week, and their members expressed their confidence that the law is constitutional. The court’s ruling, which is set to come in June, could change the interpretation of Congress’ scope of power and have major implications for modern government.

Should health care reform be struck down, seniors risk losing many of the new benefits provided through the law. The shrinking doughnut hole - the coverage gap that leaves seniors paying thousands out of pocket for lifesaving medications - will open back up, leaving many seniors to pay much more for vital and costly medications. The free preventive care and annual wellness visit benefits that are now offered will disappear as well. “If any part of the law is repealed, seniors could lose a great deal of their health care protection and security,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “In addition, Medicare Advantage overpayments to insurance companies could end, meaning that Medicare's Trust Fund would run out sooner.”

Alliance’s 2011 Voting Record: A Breakdown of the Findings

Last Friday, to mark the two-year anniversary of health care reform, the Alliance released its 2011 Voting Record. Every year, the report details the votes of each U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees, and the latest version is available at http://www.retiredamericans.org/issues/congressional-voting-record.

The voting record examines 10 key Senate votes and 10 key House votes made in 2011, showing the roll calls on issues such as health care repeal; the Paul Ryan budget - which had a vote in both the House and Senate; and a balanced budget amendment. “Higher scores on the voting record reflect a commitment to improve health care, strengthen Medicare, and put seniors ahead of drug and insurance companies,” said Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling.

According to the Alliance, 155 U.S. House members achieved perfect scores of 100 percent in 2011. Two hundred and twenty-eight received scores of zero. The strong polarization reflects the voting record of the freshman class of the U.S House and enforced party discipline. Of the 84 freshmen Republicans elected in the 2010 midterm elections, 73 received a score of 0.

Twenty-six members of the U.S. Senate achieved perfect scores of 100 percent in 2011, while another 26 received zeroes.

House Passes the Ryan Budget; Alternatives Rejected

The U.S. House approved a 2013 budget resolution from Budget Committee Chairman Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday by a 228-191 vote; only 10 GOP House members defected. They were Reps. Justin Amash (MI), Joe Barton (TX), John Duncan (TN), Chris Gibson (NY), Tim Huelskamp (KS), Walter Jones (NC), David McKinley (WV), Todd Platts (PA), Dennis Rehberg (MT), and Ed Whitfield (KY). For a complete tally of the vote, go to http://1.usa.gov/GW8kpD. This year and last, all Democrats voted “no” on the House GOP budget.

Ryan’s $3.5 trillion plan is considered deeply-flawed by many senior activists. Under the plan, the Medicare eligibility age would slowly rise to 67. Those who turn 65 after 2023 would receive government assistance buying a private health insurance plan, but the spending would be capped, meaning costs would be shifted to seniors as insurance costs rise.

“The House GOP budget proposal lays bare the party’s true colors. The plan would cut health care for senior citizens in order to pay for more tax breaks for big corporations and for the wealthiest Americans. It is unconscionable to take from those with the least – seniors trying to afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription – in order to give to those who already have the most,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. Actor Martin Sheen, widely known for his presidential role on “The West Wing,” recently joined the anti-GOP movement, slamming the conservatives for their attacks on Medicare in a video. Click http://bit.ly/GSiFHU to see it.

A Simpson-Bowles-style budget that contained drastic spending cuts, pushed by Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio), went down 382-38 on Wednesday night (see tally at http://1.usa.gov/H24r4f). House Democrats had released a budget proposal that would begin to curb deficits without making major changes to Medicare and Medicaid, pairing spending cuts with higher taxes on the wealthy. Authored by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), the House Budget Committee’s top Democrat, the $3.7 trillion budget plan was shot down by a vote of 163-262. For a tally of that vote, click http://1.usa.gov/H2uyLk.

National Leaders Address Michigan Alliance, NEA

Ms. Easterling is in Detroit today for the Michigan Alliance Founding Convention. Mr. Coyle traveled to Las Vegas to address the National Education Association's Retired Leadership and Organizing Conference on Tuesday.

Alliance Members in the South, Northeast Can Still Register for Regional Meetings

While the Alliance’s regional meetings in the West and Midwest have already taken place, it is not too late to register for the Southern Regional Meeting in Orlando that begins on April 30, or the Northeast Regional Meeting, which begins in Philadelphia on May 14. To see a recap of one of the other Regionals that just took place, go to http://bit.ly/H73qng. For more information on an upcoming meeting, or to register, go to http://bit.ly/yiqB8n.

Editor’s Note: Due to holidays, the next Friday Alert will be published on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

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Alliance Draws Attention to Benefits for Seniors on Affordable Care Act Anniversary

David Blank — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:44:49 -0400

The Alliance marked today’s two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by holding 26 community events around the country, spotlighting new Medicare benefits and educating seniors on where elected officials and candidates stand on health reform. “The Affordable Care Act is helping seniors across the nation better afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription. The 3.6 million seniors with the highest drug costs have already saved an average of $600 on their prescriptions. Thirty-two million seniors have received free, life-saving tests for chronic diseases. The law is closing the ‘doughnut hole’ coverage gap in Medicare Part D, an egregious example of pharmaceutical company profits being placed ahead of the health care needs of our seniors,” said Barbara J. Easterling, the Alliance’s President. To read her full statement, go to http://bit.ly/AaJ8xJ.

In St. Louis, Missouri Alliance members were joined for an event featuring the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. The Nevada Alliance held roundtables and press conferences in Henderson and Las Vegas. The North Carolina Alliance held a roundtable in Wendell, NC. Additional events included four educational events with seniors and students in Arizona; press conferences in Cape Coral, Florida; Dallas; Indianapolis; Pittsburgh; and across Wisconsin. The New York State Alliance held a press event in Albany.

Roundtables also took place in Denver, as well as in Des Moines, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Illinois Alliance protested at Rep. Aaron Schock’s office in Peoria, and the New Mexico Alliance held truth squads and presentations across New Mexico. The Washington State Alliance hosted cancer screenings in Gig Harbor, as well as additional events in Spokane and Renton, WA. The Oregon Alliance held an educational event at Rep. Kurt Schrader’s office. Other state chapters also celebrated the anniversary by helping to educate seniors about the benefits available to them through the ACA.

Bob Meeks, an Alliance member from Brandon, Florida, joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, and Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn for a press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday. “In 2011, my monthly drug costs of $1200 a month went to between $600 and $800 a month while I was in the doughnut hole. This has been a huge help to me and my wife,” said Mr. Meeks of the ACA.

Easterling Commemorates Anniversary with Speech, Conference Call with Reporters

On Monday, Ms. Easterling held a teleconference call with reporters and Reps. John Larson (CT), Xavier Becerra (CA), Jan Schakowsky (IL), and Doris Matsui (CA), talking about the benefits of health care reform for seniors. Easterling traveled to Boca Raton, Florida on Wednesday to discuss health care with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Retirees Chapter of New York City.

Obama, Romney Differ on Plan to Cut Medicare, Medicaid

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney sharply disagreed this week on a budget proposal by U.S. House Republicans that would dramatically change Medicare and Medicaid while lowering taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans. The GOP presidential candidate praised it as “bold and exciting,” while a White House spokesperson called it, “a recipe for destroying Medicare as we know it… it is not a plan that this President could support.” MD/DC Alliance president Frank Stella spoke at a Tuesday rally against the plan, and Alliance Executive Board member Bill Cea is joining Vice President Joe Biden today at an event in Florida to highlight the Administration’s opposition. Read some of Biden’s remarks explaining what’s at stake at http://bit.ly/GIY9Ws.

“Under the proposal, seniors would be given vouchers to either buy health coverage in the costly private insurance market, or purchase it from a Medicare program that would be made more expensive by the exodus of younger, healthier retirees,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. The plan would also cut spending on Medicaid and turn it over to cash-strapped states, jeopardizing the only way over 70 percent of seniors are able to afford long-term or nursing home care. The budget plan, authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), was approved by the House Budget Committee on Wednesday and is expected to be voted on by the full House next week. Also, on the same day that Romney endorsed the Ryan plan, one of his top economic advisors, Greg Mankiw, was forced to apologize for a joke he shared on his blog about deporting seniors to lower Social Security and Medicare costs. For the Alliance’s latest fact sheet on the Ryan budget, go to http://bit.ly/GTNEyL .

New Congressional Voting Record Now Available on the Web

The Alliance’s 2011 Voting Record is now available at http://bit.ly/kpet7N. The annual report details the voting record of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees. This year's voting record examines the roll calls on issues such as health care repeal; the Paul Ryan budget; and a balanced budget amendment. Check next week’s Friday Alert for a breakdown of the findings.

Oregon Alliance Holds its Convention

Approximately 50 retirees attended the 9th annual conference of the Oregon Alliance, held March 10 in Portland. Scott Blau was elected president; Linda DeLucia was elected first vice president; Roz Gieze was elected trustee; and Jim Davis was elected member at-large. Resolutions addressed campaign finance reform and called for Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act. The Alliance also issued a special award to past president Verna Porter.

Pennsylvania Alliance Mourns Loss of Two Leaders

The Pennsylvania Alliance is mourning the recent deaths of two leaders, Ray Myers and Kate Brennan. Mr. Myers was a founding Board member of PARA, and continued in leadership roles for the state chapter even while serving as national President of the Communications Workers’ Retired Members Council. Ms. Brennan, also a PARA Board member, was a retired university professor who helped bring the Alliance to college campuses to educate students on health care and retiree issues. “Ray and Kate were dedicated, passionate activists. We honor their memories whenever we stand up for social and economic justice,” said Ms. Easterling.

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Health Care Reform Marks its Two-Year Anniversary

David Blank — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:53:14 -0400

Next week – March 23 - marks two years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law and made health care reform a reality. The Alliance is planning almost 30 events across the country to commemorate the anniversary - and the benefits for seniors that come with it. The events are planned for Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin and range from educational forums with experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to protests at the offices of Members of Congress who opposed this law. While the whole week will celebrate the anniversary, Monday, March 19 is a day for all seniors to celebrate the ways that the ACA is improving their own lives.

If you would like to participate in an anniversary event, please use the contact information at: http://bit.ly/FO8HSE. “When we hear people bad-mouth the new health law by derisively calling it ‘Obamacare,’ say, ‘Damn right! Obama cares for seniors – that is why his new law is closing the doughnut hole, lowering the cost of prescription drug costs, and helping seniors better afford their doctor visits and medical tests,’” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance.

On March 26^th through March 28^th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of the minimum coverage provision and other components of the Affordable Care Act. “Congress knew what it was doing when it wrote the law. Several lower-court judges, including many conservatives, have found health care reform to be constitutional,” said Mr. Coyle.

Washington Post Finds Conservative Seniors Group “60 Plus” Less Than Honest

The 60 Plus Association, a conservative seniors group, is spending $3.5 million on television advertisements accusing five Democratic senators of voting to ration Medicare services. The ads feature musician Pat Boone. Historically, many critics have referred to “60 Plus” as a front group for the pharmaceutical industry. The group’s targets are potentially vulnerable Democrats in states with large populations of senior citizens: Sens. Bill Nelson (Fla.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio). “The Washington Post refers to the ads as, ‘More “Mediscare” Hooey, GOP Version,’ and I agree wholeheartedly,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance.

Rep. Paul Ryan’s Plan to Cut Spending Faces a Logic Test – and Fails

The Center for American Progress writes that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is targeting seniors as he purports to help lower-income households; his proposals include slashing $771 billion from Medicaid over ten years. To see how Ryan, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, plans to take from seniors , poor children, and people with disabilities to give to the wealthy, go to http://bit.ly/wCa0bx.

Romney: No Medicare for Me

Mitt Romney, a leading candidate to secure the Republican nomination for President, turned 65 on Monday, making him eligible for Medicare. But his campaign said that he will not enroll in it, choosing instead to keep his private insurance. “Mitt Romney can afford private insurance, but for millions of seniors, Medicare is the only way they can afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “He can do what he wants with his own health care, but he shouldn’t try to take Medicare away from those whose lives depend on it.”

Voter ID Laws Face Legal, Public Relations Hurdles in Texas, Wisc., and Penn.

The Obama administration on Monday blocked a new law in Texas requiring voters to show photo identification before they can cast a ballot, citing a concern that it could harm Hispanic voters who lack such documents. The Justice Department said that the requirements for potential voters in Texas could lead to them paying high fees for copies of legal documents such as birth certificates. Additionally, nearly one-third of the counties in the state do not have offices where potential voters can obtain a driver's license or state identification card, and some residents live more than 100 miles away from such locations, the Justice Department said.

A Dane County, Wisconsin judge also struck down that state's new voter ID law on Monday - the second judge in Wisconsin in a week to block the requirement that voters show photo identification at the polls. The latest ruling goes further than the one issued last week, because it permanently invalidates the law for violating the state constitution.

In addition, a new voter ID law in Pennsylvania is drawing flak because it wouldn't allow disabled veterans to use a photo ID issued by the Veterans Administration if it is not stamped with an expiration date (http://bit.ly/w52kkS). Governor Tom Corbett (R) signed the bill into law on Wednesday; a legal challenge looms.

Alliance Acts to Improve Transportation and Housing

Smiling transit workers and retirees greeted commuters on Tuesday morning as they emerged from Metro stations in downtown Washington, D.C., drawing attention to potential problems related to proposed cuts in transportation spending. A horse and buggy clip-clopped down the city streets nearby, symbolizing a past the transit workers warn may become the future if cuts in funding for mass transit across the country take effect. The cuts range from fare increases in metro D.C. to reduced routes, 25 percent fare increases and layoffs in Detroit. To see photos from the event, including Maryland/DC Alliance President Frank Stella, go to http://tbd.ly/wndOcS. The Amalgamated Transit Union organized the event.

Mr. Coyle and Ms. Easterling were in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on Saturday for the Board of Directors Meeting of the Elderly Housing Development & Operations Corporation.

Alliance Members in the South, Northeast Can Still Register for Regional Meetings

Romney Wins Six States on Super Tuesday, but Questions Remain

David Blank — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:38:18 -0500

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney won six of the ten states that voted on Tuesday in the race to become the Republican nominee for President. Romney won Ohio, Virginia, Alaska, Massachusetts, Vermont and Idaho, but political analysts focused sharply on his slim margin of victory, 38% - 37%, over the second-place finisher in Ohio, former Sen. Rick Santorum (PA). Santorum won Tennessee, Oklahoma, and North Dakota, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won his home state of Georgia. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) did not win in any of the states.

Romney still faces heat over his health care stance during a campaign stop in Ohio on Monday. Supporters and critics alike slam Romney for his muddy explanations on the differences between his 2006 state-mandated health care reform as governor of Massachusetts and President Obama’s 2010 health care overhaul. A resurfacing of his 2009 op-ed article in USA Today highlighted many key benefits of his state plan that would benefit citizens at the federal level. To access the 2009 op-ed, go to http://bit.ly/wVPS5d.

According to Reuters (http://reut.rs/zk0Xr6), labor concerns in Ohio have created a hostile political climate in a state that could lead to a small advantage for President Obama and the Democrats going into the 2012 campaign season. After voters overturned Republican Gov. John Kasich’s law attempting to limit collective bargaining rights for unions, Ohio Democrats have seen increased support from party supporters as well as from some Republicans who disagree with some of the proposed social and economic policies, similar to the “Reagan Democrats” of the 1980s.

Midwest Regional Meeting Focuses on Threat to Voting, Collective Bargaining Rights

Threats to voting rights, collective bargaining rights and retiree benefits in Wisconsin and across the Midwest were a major topic of a 3-day training session for 150 Alliance members in Milwaukee this week. Guest speakers and workshops educated retirees on the latest developments - as well as media relations and organizing - needed for success in the 2012 elections that are now eight months away.

The AFL-CIO’s Julie Greene gave everyone state-specific fact sheets on voter changes. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said that Wisconsin's collective bargaining law and voter law changes are bad for democracy, which he said should be “the ultimate participatory sport.”

Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt gave a fiery report of Wisconsin protests and the upcoming recall elections of Governor Scott Walker and four Republican state senators. He praised retirees for standing side-by-side with workers and students. Matt Rothschild, editor & publisher of Progressive magazine, said Walker badly misjudged the power and popularity of labor in Wisconsin, as well as the state's long progressive tradition. Bruce Colburn, Director of the Health Care Reform Campaign at SEIU, said that labor has been succeeding in making the statewide debate about the future of the middle class. Other speakers, including Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance; Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer; and Richard Fiesta, Director of the Department of Government and Political Affairs, who gave an overview of the 2012 Congressional races in the Midwest, were also well-received. “I want to thank Wisconsin Alliance President Leon Burzynski for being such a gracious host for this week,” said Ms. Easterling.

Elected to the Regional Board from the Midwest were: Sam Burnett of Ohio; Larry Malone of Missouri; Tim Foley of Michigan; and Don Brown of Iowa. Photos from the Midwestern conference are available at http://bit.ly/ACmBQX.

Photos of the Western Regional conference are available at http://bit.ly/zfPxVh. Also, last week’s Friday Alert inadvertently listed Mark Goodman of Colorado as having been elected to the Western Regional board. It was Mack Goodman of Colorado who was elected.

Affordable Senior Health Insurance to Supplement Medicare

Affordable insurance supplemental to Medicare is available through the Retiree Health Plan endorsed by the Alliance for union retirees. The Open Enrollment period is currently in effect through April 30, 2012! During this period, these Medicare-eligible retirees and their spouses are guaranteed acceptance with no waiting periods, regardless of preexisting health conditions. If you have questions or would like to enroll in the program, please call 1-866-298-9117. You can also visit www.araretireehealth.com to get more information.

State Chapter Report: California and Pennsylvania

California Alliance members held an informational picket and rally in Oakland on Tuesday to challenge the proposals that Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson were presenting later that evening regarding the country’s deficit and their plans to address it. Bowles and Simpson were the two co-chairs of the President’s Deficit Commission, which was unable to get the votes they needed to send their recommendations to Congress at the end of 2010. Now they are conducting a national speaking tour to promote their proposals and encourage their adoption by Congress – proposals that include deep changes to Social Security, such as raising the retirement age, taxing benefits, and privatizing the program. They are also proposing massive cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

In Harrisburg on Monday, Pennsylvania Alliance members attended their third “Protect Our Vote Coalition” press conference to stop severe Voter Identification rules from becoming law in the state. Such changes would affect seniors and the disabled disproportionately, by making it more difficult to cast a ballot.

White House Details How Health Care Reform Helps Every State

The White House has released data detailing how the Affordable Care Act – health care reform - helps residents of every state. To see how your state benefits, go to http://1.usa.gov/yuI1gu.

Rep. Donald Payne Dies; Was a Strong Advocate for Seniors

Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) has died following a months-long fight with colon cancer, his family announced on Tuesday. The first African-American to represent New Jersey in Congress, he was 77. “Rep. Payne will be missed in Congress for both his leadership and his pro-retiree voting record,” said Mr. Burks. Rep. Payne had a 99% lifetime voting record with the Alliance.

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