Social Security & Medicare for Seniors ~ Hey That`s Me !

Response to President's Health Care Plan and Summit:

Three Things You Can DoIn order to bridge the differences between the U.S. House and Senate-passed health care bills - and continue to move reform forward - President Obama unveiled his Administration's own health plan on Monday. The plan contains several major steps toward improving the well-being of current and future retirees. "President Obama's plan recognizes the millions of seniors who are struggling to afford to see a doctor or get a prescription filled," "For retirees, continued inaction would be devastating. Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs would soon eat up more than one-third of a retiree's Social Security benefits." For the Alliance's comparison of Obama's health reform bill with those passed by the U.S House and Senate, go to http://bit.ly/aMvKTJ. On Thursday, President Obama led a televised health care reform summit, which focused on discussing ideas and grievances about the proposed health care bill from both parties. White House officials named 21 lawmakers the president wanted to attend the summit: the top leaders in the House and Senate and of the committees with jurisdiction over the health legislation. Obama also invited the top four leaders to invite four more lawmakers each, bringing the total to 37; 20 Democrats and 17 Republicans. For a specific list of the attendees, go to http://bit.ly/bSlCs6. As a follow-up to the summit, concerned senior activists are encouraged to do 3 things:
1.) Contact your U.S. House member and two Senators by calling 202-224-3121. Tell them that President Obama`s proposal would close the "doughnut hole" coverage gap in Medicare Part D; finally end the $3.60 per month every senior pays in higher premiums to subsidize the big insurance corporations that run Medicare Advantage; and make long-term care more affordable for middle-class families.

2.) Write a letter to the editor of your local paper reiterating the need for reform. You may find it helpful to use the language at http://bit.ly/8YMsgI as a guide; and3) Share Alliance materials like the comparison chart above and the fact sheet at http://bit.ly/a1qtC8 with your friends and neighbors.

Further evidence of the need for reform came last Friday, with the release of a study by a major consulting firm showing that spiraling costs are a problem even for seniors with solid insurance. The Avalere Health study found that premiums for private Medicare Advantage plans offering medical and prescription drug coverage jumped 14.2% on average for 2010. Some 8.5 million seniors and disabled Americans who signed up for the private plans will therefore be facing sharp premium increases this year, following an increase of 5.2% last year.

Editorial : Seniors need to get the facts, then act accordingly !