States That Reject Medicaid Expansion Will Spend Billions More To Cover Fewer

According to a New Study in the Journal Health Affairs, States would Save Money by Accepting the Medicaid Expansion in President Obama's Health Care Law.  The Study finds that14 of the States that have Rejected the Expansion will Spend a Combined $1 billion More on Uncompensated Care, and give up $8.4 billion in Payments from the Federal Government.  In addition, 3.6 million Americans who would have Received Coverage in the Expansion will remain Uninsured.  Opposition to Accepting the Funds comes from Ultra-Conservative Governors and State Legislators.  The Medicaid Expansion has become an Extremely Divisive Issue among Republicans.  Several Republican Governors, including Jan Brewer of Arizona and John Kasich of Ohio - who are attempting to Expand Medicaid - are being Opposed by State Legislatures Controlled by their own Party.  At this time, 23 States have decided to Expand Medicaid, 19 have decided to Reject the Expansion, and Eight are still Debating the Issue.  The Washington Post details the Intra-Party Feud at http://tinyurl.com/lgjtlqs.  “Expanding Medicaid will provide Vital Health Insurance for millions of Americans, including many Retirees,” Alliance For Retired Americans Executive Director Edward Coyle said. “Regardless of Party Affiliation, Lawmakers should ‘Not Play Games’ with their Citizens’ Health.”

Human Chain Events Against The Chained CPI Take Shape For July 2nd

New Events are being Added Regularly to the Alliance’s July 2nd Human Chain Event Web Page.  On that date, Activists around the Country will form a Human Chain against the Chained CPI in Front of Key Congressional Offices and Federal Buildings.  It is a National Day of Action for the Alliance and its Partners to stop the Chained CPI: A Formula Change that would Cut Social Security Benefits by $6,000 over 15 years for a 65-year-old who Retired in 2011.  Thirty-Eight Events Across the Country are posted at http://tinyurl.com/pd8pbsz, and more Events and details will be added in the Coming Days.

Alliance Remembers Senator Frank Lautenberg

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (Democrat-New Jersey) has Passed Away at the Age of 89. Lautenberg, a Five-Term Senator who was First Elected in 1982, was the Oldest Member of the Senate and the Last Remaining World War II Veteran.  According to the Alliance’s 2012 Congressional Voting Record, Lautenberg received a High Lifetime Score of 93%, illustrating his Commitment throughout his Career to Issues Important to Seniors.  He was a Vocal Opponent of Attempts to Weaken Medicare and Social Security, including the Ryan Budget and Chained CPI.  “The Alliance would like to ‘Thank’ Senator Lautenberg for his Many Years of Advocacy on Behalf of Seniors and ‘all’ Americans,” Alliance Executive Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks said. “His ‘Voice’ will be Sorely Missed.”  Governor Chris Christie has appointed New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chiesa to fill the Senate Seat left Unfilled by Senator Lautenberg’s Death, which Opens the Field for a Special Election on October 16th.  Chiesa, a fellow Republican and Close Friend to Governor Christie, Won't Run in that Election.

Did You Know?… More than Half of Retirees Above the Median U.S. Income Cite Pensions as a Major Source of Funding - Double the Percentage for Lower-Income Retirees.  Seven in 10 Lower-Income Retirees cite Social Security as a Major Source of Funds (Source: Gallup).