Fight Back against the senate health care bill

Trump To Cut Social Security

Trump’s Promise Not to Cut Social Security has been Broken

by Robert Roach, Jr.

President Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget is a non-starter. He has betrayed America’s seniors. In fact, $2 trillion in deficit reduction turns out to be just a math error.

The budget cuts $72 billion over ten years from disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Trump promised repeatedly to protect – not cut – Social Security. Yet his first budget does just that, harming millions of disabled Americans. 

The Trump budget also slashes $1.4 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), total Medicaid spending was $368 billion in 2016. Almost two-thirds of that was for seniors and people with disabilities, who rely on Medicaid for health care and long-term care. This cut is drastic and dangerous by any measurement.

This budget also decimates the Community Development Block Grant, which provides funding through states and communities for Meals on Wheels.

Trump’s proposal would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by more than 25%, taking away benefits from those who need basic nutrition.

This budget provides massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations on the backs of retirees, children, people with disabilities and current and future federal workers, whose earned pension benefits are cut. The Trump budget is a reckless mixture of twisted values and brazen dishonesty.

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, this is not the policy we need. Alliance for Retired Americans members are mobilized to ensure it never advances.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Trumpcare Bad For All But The Rich

American Health Care Act

• This American Health Care Act (AHCA) decimates Medicaid, with more than $800 billion in cuts.
  
• Donald Trump’s 2018 fiscal year budget attempts to add another $600 billion in Medicaid cuts to that figure, for a total of $1.4 trillion.
  
• It is difficult to say what the cruelest aspect of this vote is, but raiding Medicare and cutting Medicaid surely are at the top of the list.
  
• Even President Trump acknowledges that the AHCA is “mean.”
  
• President Trump could fix this by going back to his campaign promises not to cut Medicare and Medicaid.
  
• The AHCA drops the coverage guarantee for people with pre-existing conditions, strips coverage from millions and drives up costs for millions more.
  
• The House bill takes away health insurance coverage away from 23 million Americans, and the Senate is using it as their starting point.
  
• The numbers are especially troubling for anyone with a pre-existing condition. Premium increases are going to be massive for this group, which includes millions of older Americans.
  
• Among people ages 55 to 64, 84 percent had at least one pre-existing condition in 2014.
  
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score confirms older Americans’ worst fears: the American Health Care Act is a disaster for older Americans who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
  
• The scenario isn’t much better for those who qualify for Medicare, since the AHCA robs the Medicare Trust Fund to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
  
• The transfer of wealth from the sick to the wealthy is unconscionable.
  
• We know why the House leadership was in such a hurry to pass this dreadful legislation without a single hearing, and why the Senate negotiations are being done in private: it is both dangerous and unfair.
  
• The CBO confirms some states will drop the coverage guarantee for people with pre-existing conditions. This will make health insurance a privilege for the wealthy, not a right.
  
• This legislation will destabilize the health care markets.
  
• Members of the Alliance for Retired Americans are mobilized and ready to fight tooth and nail against the AHCA in the Senate.

Source: Alliance for Retired Americans

June 14, 2017

Have a Great Retirement, Jim and Carol

Although not considered my “boss”, in the usual sense, I’ve never-the-less always tried to consider SOAR Director, Jim Centner, as my boss.

Since Jim became our SOAR Director and while I’ve been the Secretary Treasurer, I must say that he has been the best boss I’ve ever had.

Now, I’ve had a lot of asshole bosses during my working years in the U.S. Navy and then working for the Northern Indiana Public Service Company, so I think I’m qualified to know an asshole boss when I see one.

Jim has always shown himself to be fair, reliable, understanding, trustworthy, reasonable and generous. He has made my work with SOAR extremely satisfying and it’s been a real joy to work with and for him - and for this, I will be forever grateful. 

The friendship of Jim and his wife, Carol, has been a real plus for my wife, Elaine and I and I hope they’re able to enjoy his announced retirement as much as we have enjoyed ours.

Absent Congresswoman

Those of you who have Congressional Representatives who have town hall meetings to listen to their constituents, be thankful. My congresswoman chooses not to listen to hers.

Thanks from Bill Gibbons

Thank You

While there have been a lot of serious developments that can adversely affect retirees and the working class that I could write about, I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to two SOAR activists and leaders of SOAR that I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with in pursuing the mission and activities of SOAR.

Charlie Averill, who was the Secretary-Treasurer of SOAR, decided not to run for re-election during our recent SOAR conference. He has since been appointed an Emeritus member by International President Leo W. Gerard. Charlie has devoted many years to SOAR in the performance of his duties as Secretary-Treasurer. Those of us who have had the opportunity to work with him have firsthand knowledge of his dedication and leadership. His work on the “SOAR Chapter-Connection” is just one example. I am pleased that he is still working on it.

Jim Centner, SOAR Director, is retiring June 1. I have found Jim’s dedication, leadership and work for SOAR untiring, supportive and an inspiration in pursuing the mission and purpose of SOAR. Jim was always there when needed. Jim provided the information and resources needed to pursue the mission of SOAR. He coordinated and organized so many of our meetings in an informative and productive manner.

Jim and Charlie are examples and inspirations for all of us to pursue the purpose, mission and necessity of SOAR. I thank them both for all that they have done and wish them, Carol and Elaine the best.       

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

Trump's Cabinet: Bootlickers All

bootlicker |ˈbo͞otˌlikər| noun informal an obsequious or overly deferential person; a toady: bootlickers telling him what a big star he's going to be.

Take Action, Stand Up, Fight Back

Billy’s Banter

Stand Up fight Back

Returning from the SOAR Conference energized and ready to go to work, we are hit with a vote in the US Congress that will reduce health benefits to seniors and a budget that makes it very clear where their priorities are. For an Administration to put millions at risk of losing or having their health care benefits reduced; limiting funds to programs like Meals on Wheels; to reduce SSDI benefits; to reduce funding into Medicare (which will cause financial issues in the future and open the door to change or eliminate Medicare) and to reduce funding to Medicaid, should be enough to get every SOAR member energized. The fastest growing groups of Medicaid recipients are seniors who enter nursing homes and have no means to pay other than Medicaid. 

All of this is proposed to provide, in part, money for a tax break for the wealthy. This administration believes it is a fair trade off to reduce our benefits so taxes like the estate tax can be repealed.  Presently, if you die the first almost $11 million dollars are tax free to a married couple who would inherit the estate. Then you would start paying tax on the amount over $11 million. The present administration feels this is not fair and has proposed total repeal of the tax and we should have our benefits reduced so there is money to make up for the loss of revenue. 

If that isn’t enough to get you energized and willing to get active and do something, then I can’t think of anything that will. 

We must take action and get involved. Demonstrate, protest, attend town hall meetings, call or write your representative. All SOAR Chapters should promote some action to let our representatives know we will not sit back and allow our seniors be taken advantage of in order to provide more for the wealthy. Stand Up Fight Back is not only the cry of the active members of the USW, it is the call to action for all SOAR members.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

From the Director (Retired)

Passing the Torch

By the time you receive this newsletter I will be officially retired and an active dues paying member of this wonderful organization. An organization that I have had the opportunity to help shepherd for over the last 16 years. I leave knowing the elected leadership is committed to growing a politically active retiree organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life of retirees and workers in both of our countries. 

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Julie Stein, who USW International President Leo W. Gerard has appointed to assume my duties upon my retirement. Julie brings a wealth of experience into her new job. She has been an instrumental part of our union Political Department for the last five years. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Julie spent a great deal of her time in Wisconsin working election cycles, where she knocked on hundreds of doors and participated in phone banks to educate our members on the issues that affect working families and retirees as well as encouraging support of labor-friendly candidates. In addition, Julie has great communication skills and brings a disciplined approach to the administrative side of the job.

I’m not going to walk away from the work and activism that this organization does so well. I am going to take a little time off, recharge my batteries and then get reengaged in the fight as a SOAR volunteer and activist. But, I can walk away from the day-to-day administrative duties of this job knowing that the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees is in good hands and prepared to face the challenges the future brings head on!  Congratulations Julie, I wish you great success in your new job!

 Jim Centner, SOAR Director