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Dear Retiree, here is your November 6, 2009 issue of the Friday Alert.
Alliance Formally Endorses House Health Care Bill
On Tuesday, the Alliance sent a letter supporting the Affordable
Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, to all members of the U.S. House. The letter urges prompt passage of the health
reform legislation, saying it makes important, positive changes in the health care needs of older Americans - none more important
than Medicare improvements. "The bill closes the Part D doughnut hole coverage gap beginning in 2010," said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. "Medicare
beneficiaries will immediately see that gap closed by $500, in addition to 50% price discounts for name brand drugs for seniors
in the gap until it is fully closed. The elimination of co-payments for Medicare preventive services is also a major
improvement." In addition, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices
on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, a position long advocated by the Alliance. Eliminating Medicare Advantage overpayments
will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund. Companion legislation to H.R. 3962 will improve how physicians receive
Medicare reimbursements, allowing older Americans the ability to keep their choice of doctor. Many Alliance members
are not yet Medicare eligible, and H.R. 3962 helps them as well. The provisions creating a reinsurance fund for retirees
ages 55-64 and insurance reforms on age rating, the elimination of pre-existing conditions as a basis for denial of coverage,
and the creation of an insurance exchange, as well as a public option, will all benefit pre-Medicare eligible retirees.
Alliance members had the chance to speak with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about health insurance reform on a conference
call on Thursday. In her remarks, Secretary Sebelius mentioned the Alliance's work in support of health care reform
and gave her thanks. That same day was a national call-in day for Alliance activists to contact Congress about health
reform priorities.
Rep. Louise
Slaughter (D-NY) said she expects the House to consider H.R. 3962 during a rare Saturday session on November
7. She predicted a final vote would come about 6 p.m. All of the votes will have to come from Democratic ranks,
since Republicans are expected to unite in opposition to the bill. In an analysis released Wednesday, the Congressional
Budget Office said a separate GOP plan would reduce the number of uninsured by 3 million, compared with the Democratic bill
that would reduce the number by 36 million.
Focus Turns from 2009 Elections to 2010
Democrats lost the governors' mansions in New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday night.
In the special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District, Democrat Bill
Owens captured the House seat vacated by Republican John
McHugh. California Lt. Governor John
Garamendi won the election to replace former U.S.
Rep. Ellen Tauscher in California's 10th Congressional
District, keeping that seat Democratic. "We must realize that the 2010 elections have already started," said Barbara J. Easterling,
President of the Alliance. "Next fall, older Americans will make up over one-third of the turnout in key states and
congressional districts. That is why we have been the object of a lot of attention - and a lot of misinformation.
It is more important than ever that we know the issues and where the candidates stand."
GOP Fear Mongering Continues
Rep. Virginia Foxx
(R-NC) said on Monday on the House floor that a health reform bill is a greater threat to our country than any terrorist organization
(watch it here: http://bit.ly/31ZRDM). In spite of fear mongering regarding health reform, there is a popular support for reform efforts among the American public.
Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance,
said, "Despite efforts by conservatives to derail health insurance reform, seniors know better, and we are finally moving
forward in our efforts to reform the broken health insurance system in this country."
Humana Profits Rise 65% in Third Quarter
Health insurer Humana posted a 65% jump in third-quarter profit on Monday, due largely
to a bulging membership and to premiums from Medicare Advantage. Humana has faced the wrath of Alliance members across
the country after falsely warning its members that their benefits are at risk due to health reform. Many senior advocates
see the gigantic rise in profits as further proof of Medicare Advantage subsidies being an unnecessary corporate giveaway
from the government to private insurers at the expense of seniors.
Alliance Chapters State by State: Florida, Maryland-DC, Indiana
State by state, seniors are standing up and
getting creative around health insurance reform. Last Friday in Florida, the Grim Reaper "Trick or Treated" at Republican
Headquarters in Tallahassee to ask why Republicans are standing in the way of real reform efforts. Barbara DeVane, Secretary for the Florida Alliance, said health reform will "rein
in the high costs of health care for our families, our businesses and our government." ( http://bit.ly/1T65VQ ) Last Saturday, the Maryland-DC Alliance held their annual convention. Mr. Coyle attended and spoke about
separating fact from fiction in health reform [http://bit.ly/2QTh7j]. Indiana retirees made news last week when they
protested Federal Mogul, a company that is proposing cutting health benefits for workers and retirees in a new contract negotiation.
Las Vegas Convention Sign-up Details Now Available!
Mark your calendars for April 5-8, 2010 for the Alliance's National
Convention in Las Vegas, where we will kick off our grassroots efforts for the 2010 elections. We will have workshops
and training sessions to strengthen our organizing and advocacy skills, and hear from leading experts in public policy, health
care and aging, and the media. Convention attendees will also be electing officers for the Alliance. Alliance
members will elect a president and secretary-treasurer, and community members will elect six community-based board members.
Register for the convention by calling 1-888-373-6497, or by visiting http://tiny.cc/gkItc. Hotel reservations must be made by contacting Bally's Las Vegas directly at 1-800-358-8777. To vote in the Alliance
elections, conference attendees must be members of the Alliance by December 5, 2009.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Become
part of a progressive grassroots movement!
Join the Alliance: www.retiredamericans.org/join
____________________________________________________________________
Alliance for Retired Americans 815 16th St, NW Washington, DC 20006 www.retiredamericans.org
This message is being sent to you as a Member of the Alliance of Retired
Americans. The Alliance is a nationwide membership organization organized under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)
(4) and dedicated to educating all Americans about and advocating on behalf of retirees and seniors. The Alliance is
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