News from the National Alliance for Retired Americans
Barbara J. Easterling, President
As president of the Alliance for Retired Americans, I know that many older people are scared and confused, fearful of the change that health reform may bring.
While retirees have a lot to gain from health reform, you would never know it from all the mean-spirited myths and falsehoods that are out there. Seniors are scared and confused because powerful interests are spending millions of dollars – and spreading millions of lies – to preserve the status quo, a broken system that puts profits ahead of people, special interests ahead of the public interest.
Let’s make it our mission to help separate fact from fiction. When someone says to you that health reform will be bad for seniors, set the record straight.
Tell them how we have an opportunity to close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, lower prescription drug costs, help early retirees afford health care coverage, and assist middle-class families with the costs of long-term care. We can end the out-of-control premium increases at the big insurance companies through fair competition from a high-quality public alternative to the corporations who profit by denying us care and discriminating against our pre-existing conditions.
But this is not just about us. Think about your children and grandchildren. How are they doing in these difficult times? What would happen if they lost their job? At a time of sky-high premiums and unfair rules against pre-existing conditions, would they be able to get health insurance? Would they be able to pay their doctor’s bill or get a prescription filled?
My fellow retirees, our working days may be over, but our fighting spirit burns as strong as ever. We have an exciting chance to improve health care in America. This can be our lasting legacy, and I know we can do it.
