WELCOME We seek to enable retired and older Americans to achieve a quality, secure and satisfying life for themselves and their families
We are one of the State Federations of a nationwide organization, Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), founded in 2001 by a broad coalition of AFL-CIO affiliated unions and community-based organizations.Currently, ARA unites over three and a half million retirees and seniors who are committed to one common goal- to advocate for and truly benefit America's elderly population.
We work to achieve federal, state and local legislation, policies and programs that meet retirees and senior's needs. These needs include: adequate social security and pensions, quality, affordable and accessible health care; quality home-based care; long-term care; and community involvement.
For general information, call: Frank Stella, President, Email:fxs717@MSN.com
Members launch "United We Will Win" Campaign
Future Events for 2011: For information, see website Events section or contact: Joni Jones: Email: jjones@retiredamericans.org
EVENT CALENDAR
Join us for an update on local and national developments. For information, contact: jjones@retiredamericas.org
See Events Calendar Section.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Why it is good for America, though short of what we wanted.Completely paid for by $500 billion in Medicare savings and through efficiencies. Benefits include 32 million presently uninsured persons will be covered. Phases out donut hole by 2020; currently some of savings will fill some of the donut hole.
Seniors are getting up to $250 to cover the donut hole.
One free annual checkup
No co-pay on preventive screenings
Improved patient care
Bans life-time limits on coverage
Creates state exchanges for small businesses and individuals
Tax credits to enable purchase of insurance
Penalties for employers of over 50 persons if they do not insure their employees
Eliminates pre-existing non-insurable condition for children
Extends coverage for young people on parents? policies up to age 26
Bans annual limits for new policies
Excise tax on high-cost health plans: Exemptions: $10,000 for individual;
Exemptions- $27,000 for a family
Reductions on subsidy for Medicare Advantage Plans.
For more information, see the issues section of this web site.
ARA National Legislative Accomplishments The U.S. continues to see severe economic and fiscal challenges. Retirees face these hardships as well. While the economy began a slow recovery, unemployment remained high. We also celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Social Security and 45th anniversary of Medicare, vivid reminders that even during times of economic hardship these two vital programs have remained strong, delivering the guaranteed benefits for which retirees worked hard. Much of the cause of the economic distress over the past few years was due to Wall Street excesses that put the global economy in jeopardy. Congress enacted legislation to reform Wall Street practices and bring more transparency and oversight to the financial markets. Yet, there are those who would cut Social Security and Medicare benefits to make up for the excesses of Wall Street. We still must remain on guard against efforts to privatize and cut the Social Security and Medicare programs. We must continue to remind all Americans that they are programs that benefit all generations, not just retirees.ARA fights to save Social Security and Medicare.
It is up to us to advocate for those issues on which older Americans depend for a respectable quality of life in retirement. Barbara J. Easterling, President; Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer; and Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director- Alliance for Retired Americans MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS ARE PROVIDED IN THE SECTION ON ISSUES
