Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Democratic National Committee’s Senior Council Vice Chair Maria Cordone, AFSCME Director of Retiree Programs Steve Regenstreif and Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Edward Coyle Discuss Urgent Need for Hea

For Immediate Release

August 12, 2009

Contact: Megan Jacobs 202-590-4666

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Democratic National Committee’s Senior Council Vice Chair Maria Cordone, AFSCME Director of Retiree Programs Steve Regenstreif and Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Edward Coyle Discuss Urgent Need for Health Insurance Reform for Seniors

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Democratic National Committee Seniors Council Vice Chair Maria Cordone, AFSCME Director, Retiree Programs Steve Regenstreif and Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Edward Coyle held a press conference call today and discussed the impact our broken health care system is having on Seniors and the importance of passing the health insurance reform that follows President Obama’s Health Insurance Guarantees. The callers were joined by Bernice Romero, a 56 year old Albuquerque resident who can't afford high premiums and out of pocket expenses.

Few groups feel the impact of our broken health care system as much as seniors and retirees. Even with Medicare coverage, our seniors are feeling the impact of skyrocketing prescription drug costs, which is why the President has already reached out to pharmaceutical companies and negotiated a deal to bring down costs of prescription drugs and help close the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole”. And for many retirees between 55 and 65 the struggle is even greater. For those who don’t get health insurance coverage as part of their pension, or for those who see cuts in their plan because of businesses struggling in this tough economy, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get coverage on their own. If they’re not denied coverage because of age, gender, or pre-existing conditions, they face premiums that are just not affordable.

To protect all Americans from sky-high costs and denial of coverage, President Obama recently announced eight Health Insurance Guarantees. Under the President’s Health Insurance Guarantees, everyone will benefit, even people who currently have insurance, because any legislation he signs will include these iron clad guarantees - guarantees which will reverse years of unfair insurance company practices: 1) no discrimination for pre-existing conditions, 2) no exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, or co-pays, 3) no cost-sharing for preventive care, 4) no dropping of coverage for the seriously ill, 5) no gender discrimination, 6) no annual or lifetime caps on coverage, 7) extended coverage for young adults, and 8) guaranteed insurance renewal.

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)

“This benefits a lot of Americans who are having a hard time getting coverage or keeping the coverage they have… I keep hearing from people that increasingly, insurance is not affordable and a lot of people don’t have insurance, so I think something has to be done… It’s very important that seniors know, we’re not getting rid of Medicare. We’re not saying to people on Medicare that you have to go buy another policy or look for your own insurance – that’s simply not true. And for people who have health insurance through their employer, they’re going to continue to get health insurance through their employer. In fact I believe once this bill is passed more people will get insurance through their employer than do now… So I think the result of this bill is a strengthened Medicare program, a strengthened Medicaid program for people who are below a certain income and a strengthened employer-based insurance – more people will get insurance through their employer.”

Bernice Romero, Albuquerque, NM resident

“I had to retire in 2004 due to my hands and knees. I have to take several kinds of medications to be able to do things around the house… I’m on a fixed income and every penny I have is already dedicated to something along the way. The phone company [her employer] had never charged us for our insurance – last year they decided they can’t afford it anymore, so we have to pay a premium now. Not only do we have to pay a premium but our co-payment went up and our medication went up. I have to have several shots on my knees and hands but I can’t afford to go because I have to pay a co-payment every time I go and I have to meet an out of pocket before our insurance pays for the rest of it. I can’t afford to go to the doctors and get the medication I need for my illness… We need some kind of reform to be able to help us go on with our lives without having to worry about our insurance company raising our premium each year.”

Edward Coyle, Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director

“Seniors should be very angry about what’s going on. There is a deliberate cynical attempt to mislead them and frankly to scare them and it’s not just people who are showing up at town hall meetings, some of them only there to block any conversation from happening. But even the leadership of the Republican Party is silently presiding over this…the Republican Party and the leadership of the party need to step up once and for all and say that this is not the case.”

Steve Regenstreif, AFSCME Director of Retiree Programs

“The plan for health care reform will not cut Medicare benefits…it will not increase out of pocket costs for seniors… the President is committed to reforming Medicare in a way that protects our seniors and makes Medicare more efficient…So the bottom line for people on Medicare – health care reform will lead to lower prescription drug costs… it will allow seniors to keep the doctor of their choice… it will improve quality of care for seniors and it will eliminate billions of dollars in waste.”

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