Ed Coyle Senate Press Conference
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
For Immediate Release
Seniors Advocate Urges Passage of Sen. Bennet's Amendment to Strengthen Medicare
Says McCain's Motion Would Help Insurers, Hurt Seniors
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, at a U.S. Senate press conference in support of Sen. Michael Bennet's amendment that keeps Medicare savings in Medicare.
On behalf of the over 4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans, I want to deliver a crystal clear message to Washington: it is time to stop scaring seniors and instead help Americans of all ages better afford to see a doctor or get a prescription filled.
The Alliance for Retired Americans calls on the Senate to reject the McCain motion - which would weaken Medicare and further pad the profits of the big insurance companies - and pass the Bennet Amendment that protects seniors and strengthens Medicare for years to come. Senator Bennet's amendment guarantees no benefit cuts and keeps Medicare savings in Medicare. Senator Bennet (D-CO) deserves our thanks for standing up for seniors in Colorado and across the nation.
The McCain motion reduces the help Medicare provides for seniors, while it increases the profits the big insurance companies make on the backs of seniors and all taxpayers. Seniors would pay more, but get less. Insurance companies would do less, but make more.
America's seniors need help a lot more than the big insurance companies do. We must end the $3.60 per month every senior pays in higher premiums to subsidize the big insurance companies who run Medicare Advantage. The Senate must put this money back where it belongs: the Medicare Trust Fund.
The Alliance calls upon the Senate to end dilatory stalling techniques like the McCain motion, pass the Bennet amendment, and swiftly complete its work on a bill that lowers prescription drug prices, provides free access to life-saving preventive screenings, improves long-term care, and helps early retirees before they are eligible for Medicare.
Grassroots activists with the Alliance for Retired Americans will continue to educate and mobilize seniors in support of a strong health care reform bill. Millions of Americans need help right away. It is time for Congress to finish the job.
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Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org