Seniors Grateful for Fairness of Stimulus Recovery Provisions
Thursday, January 15, 2009
For Immediate Release
SSI Payment for Low-Income Elderly and Disabled, COBRA Assistance for Older Unemployed Workers Will Help Those with Serious Needs
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, concerning the Economic Recovery Package outlined by Rep. Charlie Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
"It gives me great hope today to see that the House recovery package includes an additional Supplemental Security Income payment for low-income older and disabled recipients, as well as health care assistance through COBRA and Medicaid for older workers who have become temporarily unemployed.
“The money for these deserving recipients will be given to citizens who have substantial needs. Therefore, it will be used wisely. The types of things that this money will be spent on - food, health care, and heat – are not luxury items.
"In addition, these funds are – fairly - going to hard-working people who have played by the rules and been dealt a difficult hand. That is what makes this assistance, which the House is planning to appropriate during these most difficult of times, so appreciated by so many seniors and older workers.
"This money is going to be spent on things that assist in the nation’s overall economic recovery. Supply-side economics, which give funds to those who need it least, did not work in the past and will not help us to move this country forward.
"The U.S. House is also planning to provide temporary subsidies through COBRA for health insurance coverage to those who have lost their jobs, and to extend the availability of unsubsidized COBRA coverage for older and tenured workers beyond the 18 months provided under current law.
"Additional agencies and programs including the Social Security Administration, Low-Income Energy Assistance, and Meals on Wheels will receive increased funding as well.
"I cannot think of a better use of recovery funds, and seniors and older workers are grateful that the U.S. House agrees."
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Contact: David
Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org