I Have Disgust For Bootlickers

Congress has voted more than fifty times to repeal the Affordable Care Care Act since it became law in 2009. They have had seven years to come up with a plan to replace it with but low and behold, come to find out that they have only been complaining all this time while sitting on their hands. Now, President Trump is putting on the pressure for the Senate to put something on his desk to sign and he apparently doesn’t give a damn what it looks like because he doesn’t understand medical insurance and doesn’t know what it’s like to have medical bills to pay. And these Senators, afraid of losing their cushy, high payed jobs with all the “perks” that go with it seem to be willing to just submit, regardless of how many people will lose their health insurance. They are willing to go against the wishes of their own constituents simply because they are Republicans and their political party had the repeal of “Obamacare” as one of its goals. It was a cruel, stupid goal or promise to begin with and many of them now realize it. Obamacare has helped so many people and has kept so many from declaring bankruptcy. Repealing it will result in bankruptcies to once again become the norm in America. Allowing Democrats to help them make Obamacare better than it is would be the simplest way to fix the problems with the Affordable Care Act. Republican senators don’t seem to care how many people will get hurt, suffer or die in this process. They’ll be ok, as long as they can continue to live high on the hog at our expense. We all know that there’s power in unity but there comes a time when a person needs to stick up for what he believes to be the right thing to do. Taking medical insurance away from 32 million people is not only wrong headed but it’s just plain cruel. I admire a person who is loyal, but I have thorough disgust for a bootlicker.

Repealing Obamacare Will Hurt Seniors

Don't Eliminate Free Wellness Visits For Seniors

Hillary Clinton Supports Letting People Over 50 Buy into Medicare

At a recent campaign stop in Virginia, Hillary Clinton announced a proposal that would let people over the age of 50 buy into Medicare.

Secretary Clinton’s proposal would benefit older adults and employers, who pay the majority of health insurance costs for workers in the 50 age category. Given that many areas of the United States are severely limited in the number of health insurance plans available to them, this would provide another option. An added benefit: since Medicare is more efficient at keeping healthcare costs down, including adults under 65, would help slow the growth of overall healthcare expenditures.

The new proposal will build on what the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has achieved so far, making up for the lack of a public option from the ACA.

“While the Affordable Care Act has helped many Americans obtain health insurance coverage for the first time, rising costs are still a major concern,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We need a president with realistic and specific solutions.”

Source: Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert, May 20, 2016 

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 6-6-14

Headlines:
GOP Calls for Repeal of Affordable Care Act are Fading Fast
The Alliance Submits Statement on “Observation Status” to Congress
Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduces Proposal to Overhaul VA
2,000 Detroit Pensioners Will Revote After Receiving Inaccurate Bankruptcy Ballots
Reps. Cole, Delaney Propose Bipartisan Commission to Improve Social Security
Report Ranks Minnesota Healthiest State for Retirees

GOP Calls for Repeal of Affordable Care Act are Fading Fast
In a sign that the harshest opposition to the Affordable Care Act may be softening, GOP candidates across the country are dropping calls to repeal the health care reform law and are instead spending this year’s election season talking about trying to “fix” it. Republican leaders in Washington who are still calling for repeal have yet to release their own comprehensive health reform proposal, and several Republican candidates have drawn criticism for failing to specify which portions of the Affordable Care Act they would seek to modify.

“With the Affordable Care Act, seniors are seeing expanded access to free preventive screenings, an end to insurance companies denying care due to pre-existing conditions, and the closing of the Part D prescription drug doughnut hole. The fact that voters won’t accept critics of the law continuing to call for its repeal is an indication that the Affordable Care Act is working,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary Treasurer for the Alliance. For more, go to http://wapo.st/1kuIHSI.

The Alliance Submits Statement on “Observation Status” to Congress
On Tuesday, the Alliance submitted a statement for the record of a House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled “Current Hospital Issues in the Medicare Program.” The statement focuses on the widespread placement of seniors under an observation status designation during multi-day hospital stays. Increasingly, hospitals have been placing patients under observation status rather than admitting them as inpatients. This distinction is important, because an observation status label means seniors are considered outpatients during stays in the hospital. As a result, many seniors are spending multiple days in the hospital only to discover they are responsible for both higher copays and bills for routine medications unrelated to their stay.

The most dramatic consequences are often for seniors moving from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. Since admission to these facilities requires a three day inpatient stay to be covered under Medicare, many seniors under observation status are released from the hospital only to discover that they have no coverage for post-acute care. These seniors often find themselves taking on thousands of dollars in unexpected bills or going without necessary skilled nursing facility care altogether.

One solution is for Congress to pass the bipartisan bill “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2013,” S.569 and H.R. 1179, introduced by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Tom Latham (R-IA).

“Passage of the bipartisan Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act would count the time patients spend in the hospital under observation status towards the three-day stay requirement and provide seniors with the full Medicare benefits they have earned,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance. Read the full Alliance statement at http://bit.ly/1kLEZjd. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduces Proposal to Overhaul VA
In the wake of the recent scandal involving mismanaged care in VA hospitals, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and John McCain (R-AZ) have struck a deal on bipartisan legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Sanders has introduced a bill, the Restoring Veterans’ Trust Act, that would make a number of sweeping changes to the VA health program, such as implementing expedited hiring and firing authority for employees, opening 26 new facilities throughout the country, and making it easier for veterans to seek care outside the system when VA facilities unavailable. More at http://tinyurl.com/lfnsj9v.

2,000 Detroit Pensioners Will Revote After Receiving Inaccurate Bankruptcy Ballots
When ballots detailing Detroit’s proposal to restructure $18 billion in debt were sent out to 67,000 retirees, beneficiaries, and creditors last month, an estimated 2,000 Detroit retirees and workers received ballots with inaccurate information. As a result, these current and former workers will now have to revote on the proposal. The error involved data about Detroit’s plan to collect $239 million that the General Retirement System paid into worker annuity accounts over a 10-year period. While most of the ballots were unaffected, it is expected that the error could further complicate what is already widely viewed as a confusing process for the workers and retirees covered by the city’s general pension fund. Members of the bankrupt city’s General Retirement System have to approve the debt reduction plan for the proposal to move forward. New ballots will be sent out to the 2000 affected current and former workers. For more details on the revote, go to http://bit.ly/1x8Aaug.

Reps. Cole, Delaney Propose Bipartisan Commission to Improve Social Security
Last week, Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and John Delaney (D-MD) introduced a bill that would create a new bipartisan commission to examine ways to improve Social Security. The bill calls for a 13-member commission that would be given one year to propose a list of recommendations for improving the program and increasing the solvency of the Social Security system. Currently, Social Security has sufficient funds to pay full benefits through 2033 and funds to pay about 75% of scheduled benefits through 2087.

“We must be vigilant whenever anyone talks about ‘fixing’ Social Security – and that is how The Washington Post refers to the goals of this commission,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “At a time when more and more Americans are struggling to save for retirement, any proposal to improve Social Security should focus on expanding the program to better meet the needs of current and future retirees.” More at http://wapo.st/1hyOYOx.

Report Ranks Minnesota Healthiest State for Retirees
A United Health Foundation report looking at 34 different statistical measures ranked all 50 states based on the overall health and well-being of older Americans. The survey looked at various factors including obesity rates, access to care, and availability of quality nursing home beds.  In the final tally, Minnesota topped the list while Mississippi came in last. Though Minnesota had average rates of obesity among older adults, it benefitted from high proportions of able-bodied seniors, high rates of routine dental care, and high rates of activity during the brief Minnesota summers. For more on the study, go to http://on.mktw.net/1mP3QWk.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1nnNoy0.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 2-28-14

Headlines:
U.S. Ranks Just 19th in Retirement Security Worldwide
Virginia Alliance Member Joins Sen. Chris Murphy in Support of Affordable Care Act
Rep. John Dingell Announces his Retirement after Record 58 Years in Congress
Pentagon Budget Could Hurt Military Retirees
Nebraska Takes Center Stage in Medicaid Expansion Debate
Texas Alliance Stands up for Minimum Wage Hike, Illinois for Nursing Home Safety

U.S. Ranks Just 19th in Retirement Security Worldwide
U.S. retirees are facing worse conditions for their golden years than retired workers in many other developed countries -- from Canada and the United Kingdom to South Korea, CNN reports. The U.S. ranked 19th in retirement security for the second year in a row, according to information from Natixis Global Asset Management that ranked 150 countries based on health care, finances, economic well-being and quality of life factors. European countries took eight of the top 10 spots, lifted by strong social programs for seniors. Number 1 Switzerland, for instance, is known for its strong public and private pension system. In contrast, American workers increasingly have to save for retirement on their own or through workplace 401(k) plans, while high health care costs remain an added burden. More at http://tinyurl.com/lfg23ns.

“A nation as wealthy as the U.S should be doing better than 19th,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “I see in these numbers more proof that we need to expand Social Security.” The Alliance fully supports the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 (S.567), introduced by Tom Harkin (D-IA) in the U.S. Senate, and its companion bill H.R. 3118, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) in the House. The legislation would increase annual Social Security benefits by an average of $800. It also improves the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) calculations by using a formula that reflects the cost of goods and services typically used by older Americans and ensures the Social Security Trust Fund remains solvent for years to come.

Virginia Alliance Member Joins Sen. Chris Murphy in Support of Affordable Care Act
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) launched a coordinated effort in Congress to highlight the positive effects that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is having on millions of low- and middle-income Americans. Over the past four years, the law has provided health insurance coverage and new benefits to millions, reduced their overall cost of care, and reduced federal health spending. More than 6 million Americans have signed up for health insurance since 2010. Many say that Republicans in Congress have worked to sabotage the ACA by attempting to block implementation and deny funding for critical provisions of the law. At the Wednesday event, senators highlighted the impact the law has had on seniors across the U.S. Please tell us your story about affordable health care here: http://bit.ly/1gHdg34!

Virginia Alliance member Ken Pease joined the five senators, stating, “The Affordable Care Act is important, because it gives me peace of mind to know that my drug costs will be lower than they would have been without it. Repealing the health care law would send my prescription drug costs right back up again.” Photos at http://tinyurl.com/ooby3ve. Paul Krugman wrote this week in The New York Times about the multitude of false stories propagated by opponents of health care reform in an effort to make their case. Read the article at http://tinyurl.com/nxwu4vk.

Rep. John Dingell Announces his Retirement after Record 58 Years in Congress
U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), at 87, the longest-serving member of Congress in American history, announced his retirement on Monday. Dingell, a fierce protector of Detroit’s auto industry, is the former chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. He has served with every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. In September, 2006, Rep. Dingell received the Alliance's Leadership Award for a career dedicated to the health care and economic justice of retirees.  He had presided over the House vote to pass Medicare in 1965. For a video of Rep. Dingell with that day’s gavel, go to http://tinyurl.com/k5lxubl.

“Rep. Dingell has been a great friend to seniors ever since he was first elected in a 1955 special election to replace his late father,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Democratic Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ), also won’t seek reelection in 2014, he announced Thursday. Last week, both Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-CA) announced that they will not be seeking another term in Congress. The full list of members who will not be returning to their seats can be found on the Roll Call Casualty List at http://tinyurl.com/mhfd3l.

Pentagon Budget Could Hurt Military Retirees
On Monday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel outlined in great detail the Pentagon's plan to save money while emphasizing special operations and technology by calling for a smaller Army, changes in pay, and the elimination of some aircraft, weapons and bases. The budget calls for a 1% pay increase for most troops. However, generals and admirals would receive a one-year pay freeze. Hagel said he wants to slow the growth of housing allowances and require active-duty and retired members of the military to make a larger contribution to their health care costs in the TRICARE program. Future pay and pension questions will be handled by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, which is expected to issue its report in a year.

Nebraska Takes Center Stage in Medicaid Expansion Debate
With more red states moving toward adopting the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare, Americans United for Change is targeting a series of radio ads in a place that could actually do it: Nebraska. The spots contrast Gov. Dave Heineman's (R) request for a new $3.3 million state plane with his refusal to pay the state's relatively minor share of the cost to expand Medicaid. A bipartisan bill to expand Medicaid and cover an additional 54,000 Nebraskans is pending in the legislature, but it is several votes short of the 33 needed to break a procedural hurdle. The 33 votes would also be enough to override a veto, if Heineman were to reject the measure (http://tinyurl.com/mmvdeqc).

“Several states with Republican governors or state legislatures still might expand Medicaid, despite initial objections,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “…Nebraska, Arkansas, and Maine, just to name three.”

Texas Alliance Stands up for Minimum Wage Hike, Illinois for Nursing Home Safety
A Daily Kos blog post highlights an event at which Texas Alliance activists joined a downtown Dallas demonstration in favor of increasing the minimum wage at http://tinyurl.com/mgdlw4w. To view Illinois Alliance members protesting GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner's ties to dangerous nursing homes, go to http://tinyurl.com/nbje5r9.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/ob44khs.

All You Ever Do Is Complain

Why the Affordable Care Act?

Example of a Forked Tongue

Here’s what Obamacare does for seniors:

1. Your Medicare is protected.
2. You get more preventive services, for less.
3. You can save money on brand-name drugs.
4. Your doctor gets more support.
5. Obamacare ensures the protection of Medicare for years to come.

And here is what Indiana Congressperson Jackie Walorski said on a campaign T.V. add before she voted many times to repeal Obamacare and then to delay Obamacare.

“I’ll oppose any cuts in Social Security or Medicare.”….. “This is personal to me because Martha’s my Mom. I’ll always fight to protect her benefits and yours.” .....Jackie Walorski

Now if that's not an example of a forked tongue, I don't know what it is.

Politics As Usual

Here we go again. Partisan politics are threatening to bring our fragile economic
recovery to a screeching halt. We have once again reached the point where Congress has to pass a Continuing Resolution in order for the United Sates to meet its financial obligations and to prevent our government from shutting down.

Continuing Resolutions are not new. It has been 14 years since the House, the Senate and the president have all agreed on a bill to fund the government for an entire fiscal year. In the past 26 years, Congress and the president have agreed to a year-long budget only three times, in 1989, 1995 and 1997, according to a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

So what is the big deal? Instead of moving forward and passing the resolution to keep things running, the Tea Party supporters are attempting to hold our government hostage in another attempt to destroy the Affordable Care Act. They have wasted countless hours and squandered millions of dollars opposing a bill that was passed by Congress, upheld by the Supreme Court and validated by a majority of Americans by the reelection of President Obama.

A recent CNBC poll indicates a solid majority of Americans generally oppose defunding the new health care law by a margin of 44% to 38%. The opposition increases sharply to 59% to 19% when the issue of shutting down the government or defaulting on debt obligations is included. Even Republicans oppose defunding, 48% to 36%, when the issue of a government shutdown or default is at stake.

The only groups who support defunding Obamacare are Tea Party supporters, even if it means a government shutdown or default on our debt obligations. It is a repulsive aspect of our democracy when such a relatively small group of right-wing extremists (Tea Partiers), driven largely by prejudice, greed and cold-heartedness, can have so much influence over the Republican Party and Congress in general.

Jim Centner, SOAR Director

Alliance Friday Alert 10-4-13

Headlines:
Activists at U.S. Capitol Warn: “Don’t Use Shutdown to Cut Benefits for Seniors”;
Rolling Stone Explains How Wall Street Wins at Public Workers’ Expense;
Video Explains Affordable Care Act as it Applies to Seniors;
Arizona Alliance Convention is Held in Phoenix;
California Alliance Holds its 10th Annual Convention

Activists at U.S. Capitol Warn: “Don’t Use Shutdown to Cut Benefits for Seniors”
Scores of seniors came to the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, joined hands with Members of Congress, and formed a human chain in opposition to the Chained CPI formula and all benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Congressional Progressive Caucus hosted the demonstration, as Alliance members joined with Social Security Works and other allies. The event was emceed by Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Keith Ellison (D-MN). Other Members of Congress at the event included Reps. Cheri Bustos (IL); David Cicilline (RI); Yvette Clarke (NY); John Conyers (MI); Elijah Cummings (MD); Rosa DeLauro (CT); Alan Grayson (FL); Mike Honda (CA); Steven Horsford (NV); Barbara Lee (CA); Sheila Jackson Lee (TX); Alan Lowenthal (CA); Daniel Maffei (NY); Carolyn Maloney (NY); Jerrold Nadler (NY);  Mark Pocan (WI); Jan Schakowsky (IL); Mark Takano (CA); and Paul Tonko (NY). Politico wrote about the event at http://tinyurl.com/pp6e7te.

“Congratulations to everyone who made today a success or got this event started by hosting a human chain event on July 2nd,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance.

“Seniors sent a message today: We are standing up for our hard-earned benefits and will not allow a government shutdown to force cuts to our Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid!” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. “But today was also a part of a timely revolt against Republicans' hostage taking strategy. Whether shutting down the government to protest Obamacare or using a debt crisis to force the Chained CPI on seniors, Americans have had enough,” Coyle continued.

Go to http://youtu.be/Y75JKaLvwgQ to see video of Rep. Ellison from the day’s event. Group shots from the day’s demonstration, including video footage of Rep. Honda saying, “Cut the Crap, Scrap the Cap,” are at http://tinyurl.com/nhwct34. Go to http://tinyurl.com/pvf3c2w for video of the entire event. Click on http://tinyurl.com/o4krdww and http://tinyurl.com/nw2qhtn to see Facebook photos.

Rolling Stone Explains How Wall Street Wins at Public Workers’ Expense
Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone magazine writes, “All across America, Wall Street is grabbing money meant for public workers.” The piece explains how Rhode Island was used as a test case for the rest of the country, “at the behest of powerful out-of-state financiers with dreams of pushing pension reform down the throats of taxpayers and public workers from coast to coast.”

“This scathing, much-talked-about article explains how Wall Street benefits, while public workers are losing their pension funds,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. Read the piece at: http://tinyurl.com/kjag4xj.

Video Explains Affordable Care Act as it Applies to Seniors
Kaiser Health News’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on the PBS Newshour last Thursday night to answer questions from seniors uncertain of how the Affordable Care Act will affect older Americans and what changes are coming for Medicare recipients. That video is available at http://tinyurl.com/onj5mm5.

On Tuesday, the online health insurance marketplaces — the centerpiece of President Obama’s health-care law — opened for business despite the government shutdown. The plan is for millions of Americans to go online to compare health plans, find out if they’re eligible for federal help with premiums and buy coverage. The Obama Administration acknowledged that the debut was not flawless - with some computer glitches - but officials expect the kinks to be ironed out soon.

An exchange is a Web site designed to make it easy to find health coverage. Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries aren’t eligible for them. Those who are in the country illegally are barred from them, and most workers at bigger companies that provide health coverage won’t use them.

Each state will have an exchange. Some states are running their own; the rest are either partnering with the federal government or relying on the federal government to operate theirs. Exchanges are designed for the uninsured, people who buy their own coverage, and those whose employer-provided coverage is too expensive or lacks important benefits. Initial open enrollment is Oct. 1 through March 31. Those who are eligible can find an exchange at www.healthcare.gov.

Arizona Alliance Convention is Held in Phoenix
Seventy-five Arizona Alliance members attended the group’s state convention at the new Painters' Union Hall in Phoenix on Monday. Sam Wercinski, with the Arizona Advocacy Network, showed the Bill Moyers film "The United States of ALEC" and then led a discussion surrounding ALEC's influence in politics. Rich Fiesta, Director of the Department of Government and Political Affairs for the Alliance, gave an invigorating talk about the political landscape for the 2014 election cycle and administered the Oath of Office for the new board. Alex Lawson from Social Security Works trained the attendees on messaging and winning words. Karen Gilgoff from AFSCME’s retirees also shared her expertise. The following officers were elected: Doug Hart, President; John Campbell, 1st Vice President; Bill Engler, 2nd Vice President; Dan Pollard, Treasurer; and Tino Torres, Recording Secretary. To see photos on Facebook, go to http://tinyurl.com/o8bb6gc.

California Alliance Holds its 10th Annual Convention
The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) celebrated their 10th anniversary on Oct 1st and 2nd as part of their 10th Annual Convention, held in Sacramento.  Over 250 delegates attended from around the state.  Keynote speakers included Ms. Easterling; Dr. William Vega from the USC Roybal Institute on Aging; Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones; California Secretary of Labor Marty Morgenstern, and Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director of the California Tax Reform Association.  Workshops included Becoming an Empowered Elder and The Affordable Care Act and Seniors. Over 200 phone calls were made at a phone bank regarding the protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to the state Congressional delegation. New board members were elected and installed; President Nan Brasmer was reelected, as was Secretary Dawn Bronsema.



For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/q8sj9hd. 

Sign Up October 1 for Health Insurance

Why Vote To Repeal a Law That is so Popular?

Obamacare is helping so many people that I find it interesting that I have yet to speak with a single person who claims to be against it even though my Congressperson, Jackie Walorski, continues to vote to repeal the law.

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 9-13-13

Headlines:
U.S. Income Inequality Reaches Highest Level Since 1928
Affordable Care Act Will be a Boon for Early Retirees
Alliance Members Share Their Personal Medicare Stories
Far-Right House Republicans Continue to Threaten Government Shutdown
Colorado Alliance Holds its Tenth Constitutional Convention

U.S. Income Inequality Reaches Highest Level Since 1928
A new economic study reveals income inequality between the wealthiest Americans and the rest of the population continues to increase. According to an analysis of IRS figures dating to 1913 by economists at the University of California, Berkeley, the Paris School of Economics and Oxford University, the richest 1% earned 19.3% of all household income in 2012 and the richest 10% earned 48.2%. The incomes of the richest 1% also rose by 20 percent last year, while the remaining 99% experienced only a 1% increase.  Since the economic recovery began in 2009, over 95% of all income gains have gone to the top 1%, while ordinary Americans have seen their incomes stagnate. For more, see a CBS article http://tinyurl.com/ovsp3zn and the study http://tinyurl.com/o7zo3mm.

“With so much of the country’s wealth concentrated in the hands of a small number of wealthy individuals, it is harder than ever for ordinary Americans to save for retirement,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Yet House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and his allies continue to insist that we need to further cut taxes for the rich, while slashing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits. They are flat-out wrong; it is time for the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share to ensure a secure retirement for all.”

Affordable Care Act Will be a Boon for Early Retirees
The Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges, set to open this October, are expected to make health insurance less costly and easier to obtain for early retirees. Currently, many Americans who retire before 65 and are no longer insured through their employers find it extremely difficult to obtain health insurance. Many insurers charge higher premiums, or even refuse coverage, based on age or pre-existing conditions that are common among older Americans. Under the Affordable Care Act, it will be illegal for insurers to charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions, and there will be a cap on how much premiums can rise based on age. Additionally, low-income individuals will receive subsidies to help purchase insurance. To learn more, read a New York Times article at http://tinyurl.com/owoee93.

“It is not always possible to delay retirement until 65, particularly for those Americans who work at physically demanding jobs,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “Unfortunately, many early retirees are forced to spend years uninsured, since they are not yet eligible for Medicare. The Affordable Care Act will greatly improve these people’s lives by making it possible for them to purchase reasonably priced health insurance.”

Alliance Members Share Their Personal Medicare Stories
Politicians in Washington are keeping Medicare cuts on the table in debt ceiling and budget deal negotiations. To combat these efforts to slash Medicare, the Alliance is sharing with members of Congress stories  from retirees who benefit from the program, but who still struggle to keep up with out-of-pocket costs. The stories illustrate that now is not the time to cut Medicare or shift costs onto beneficiaries. “My prescriptions take 1/5 of my income,” said Michael Madamas of West Springfield, Massachusetts. “Between my prescriptions and medical expenses, my life savings were wiped out in about five years. I now live check to check.” For more stories, visit http://tinyurl.com/pb95ptg.

Far-Right House Republicans Continue to Threaten Government Shutdown
This week, the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives delayed a planned vote on a bill to fund the government, after a group of far-right House Republicans rebelled against the plan. To force a Senate vote, the plan would have included a vote on a separate bill to defund the Affordable Care Act.  However, the Senate would have been able to vote down the defunding bill  and pass  the bill that fund the government.. The breakaway group of Republicans insists that they would rather force a government shutdown than vote for any legislation that would fund the government while leaving the ACA intact. The vote has been postponed until next week. If no funding bill is passed, the government will shut down on October 1st.  More from the New York Times at http://tinyurl.com/lluwbpc.

“In such a rapidly changing situation, we must keep a watchful eye for any threats not just to the Affordable Care Act but also to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “President Obama must maintain his resolve not to negotiate with this group of irresponsible extremists.”

AFL-CIO Delegates Elect Richard Trumka, Liz Shuler, and Tefere Gebre
On Tuesday, delegates to the 2013 Quadrennial AFL-CIO Convention in Los Angeles elected a trio of top officers to lead the labor movement. In his acceptance speech, re-elected President Richard Trumka, a Pennsylvania coal miner who rose to the presidency of the Mine Workers (UMWA) and then served as AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer until his election to the top post in 2009, called himself “an example that a man or woman can be carried far by those who came before.” AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler was elected to a second term and Tefere Gebre, a 45-year-old Ethiopian political refugee who immigrated to the United States as a teenager, was elected executive vice president. Ms. Shuler’s union career began with the Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Portland, Ore., and she has served as AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer since 2009. Mr. Gebre was a former Director of Government Relations of the Laborers (LIUNA) Local 270, as well as a member of the Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and IBEW. He also served as the Executive Director of the Orange County (Calif.) Labor Federation and as Executive Director of Frontlash, the first youth and college arm of the labor movement. More at http://tinyurl.com/nkm9qpr.

Colorado Alliance Holds its Tenth Constitutional Convention
Yesterday, sixty activists gathered in Denver amidst serious flooding for the Colorado Alliance’s 10th Constitutional Convention. The Colorado Alliance honored State Senators Lois Tochtrop and Mary Hodge for their 100% voting record on senior issues for 2013. Elected to office were:  Ed Augden of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) as President and Bob Knapp of the United Steelworkers (USW) was re-elected as Secretary. Mr. Coyle joined Congressmen Perlmutter and Polis, as well as Senator Udall in honoring and thanking Frank Lay for his service to Colorado seniors. Coyle said, “We thank Frank Lay for his years of service. The Colorado Alliance has become a force in one of the crucial swing states of presidential elections thanks to his leadership.”


For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/18ZMI7T.