National Lobby Week
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
For Immediate Release
Retirees Promote Lower Drug Costs, Expanded Medicare Coverage
National Lobby Week Held During Congressional Recess
Washington DC - In nearly 70 meetings this week with their U.S. Representatives and Senators, activists with the Alliance for Retired Americans will outline measures to lower the cost of prescription drugs, strengthen the Medicare Trust Fund, and expand Medicare coverage for retirees age 55-64.
"During our National Lobby Week, retirees will tell lawmakers that improving Medicare must be a cornerstone of national health care reform. Medicare has helped millions over the years, but lately it has been taking better care of the drug and insurance companies than retirees. We now have a chance to change this," said Alliance Executive Director Edward F. Coyle.
There are several steps the Alliance supports, Coyle said, including:
· Allowing Medicare to negotiate volume discounts with drug manufacturers. The Veterans Administration does this and its prescriptions cost 30 percent less.
· Ending wasteful taxpayer subsidies to private insurance companies who run Medicare Advantage programs at a cost nearly 20 percent higher than Medicare.
· Providing early retirees the option to purchase Medicare coverage. Many of the 5.1 million Americans between 55-64 who lack health insurance are victims of mass layoffs.
Alliance members will be calling upon their lawmakers to form Seniors Advisory Committees, and also to support the Employee Free Choice Act to help workers negotiate for higher wages and health care and retirement benefits.
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Contact: Marcie Kohenak, (202) 637-5178 or mkohenak@retiredamericans.org
For interviews with either national Alliance leaders or state activists, please call 202/637-5178.
The Alliance for Retired Americans is a
national organization that advocates for the
rights and well being of over 3.5 million
retirees and their families.