MARYLAND/DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS

The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security. The Alliance believes that all older and retired persons have a responsibility to strive to create a society that incorporates these goals and rights and that retirement provides them with opportunities to pursue new and expanded activities with their unions, civic organizations and their communities.

The primary objective of the Alliance is to enroll and mobilize retired union members and senior and community activists into a nationwide grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda- one that respects work and strengthens families. The long-term goal of the Alliance is to become the voice for all older Americans. By engaging in important political battles to protect and preserve programs vital to the health and economic security of older Americans, the Alliance serves as the country's leading progressive grassroots senior organization.

In pursuit of these values, the Alliance will:

-   Create programs and membership organizations designed to promote a commitment by retired workers and older persons to the concept of lifelong participation in their unions, and in their community, political and civic organizations.
-   Encourage all segments of the senior population to act with unity on legislative, political and policy issues of importance to retirees, seniors, and their families in order to maximize their influence on federal, state and local governments and on private organizations that affect their interests.

                      MARYLAND/DC ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
                                     LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2011-2012
STATE ISSUES

Affordable and Quality Health Care for All

State Budget:  As the retiree population increases, including those with low incomes, so too does demand for government services to help them.  Support increased funding for the Maryland State Office of Health Care Quality and the Maryland Department of Aging, including for the Adult Waiver program which enables retirees to remain in their homes instead of being in a nursing home; about 13,000 Maryland retirees are on a waiting list for a waiver. More funding is required for Seniors Centers which provide critical information, services, social activities and health improvement activities for retirees.  

Tax Support:  Seniors on fixed incomes and retirees with limited income are having a particularly difficult time. Bankruptcies among seniors are soaring – they need consideration and help. Additional income and property tax relief is needed, as well as exemptions for supplemental health policies and pretax relief for health care and long term care premiums.

Pensions:   Maryland government has shifted the obligation to fund pensions of State employees and teachers to the counties. This has the likelihood of cutting needed services for all Maryland residents.  The State should not shift its responsibility to local jurisdictions.

Elder Care Quality:  To ensure elderly quality care, we should address the many elder care workers’ challenges and their lack of conditions of employment necessary for high performance service delivery.

Aging in Place:  Every survey or focus group has concluded that retirees want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Thus, aging in place programs, which are less costly, need to be strengthened and improved.  Empowerment zones” should be established where services, especially transportation services, would be available. To help, Universal Design- making homes accessible for the elderly and disabled – should be used.

Long Term Care: The fastest growing segment of senior population consists of seniors over 85 years old; many of whom are likely to require long term care. Quality of long term care must be improved through better monitoring and inspections of providers. To provide more choice and affordability, incentives for buying long term care insurance must be strengthened, and long term care insurance rates should be regulated.

Fraud and Abuse:  Enact legislation to reduce Medicare and Medicaid fraud, and fraud and abuse against retirees.

High Energy Costs:  The prospect of facing high energy costs is frightening to retirees on fixed incomes as well as to seniors of low or moderate income. The ceiling for energy assistance programs should be raised to include additional retirees in need and protections rendered to minimize their disproportionate share of energy costs.

Employment/Jobs Issue:  Geriatric specialists are in short supply. There should be incentives for educational institutions to offer relevant programs and incentives for students to enroll in "senior sciences."

Federal Legislative Priorities

o       Protect and expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; Oppose privatization;

o       Eliminate means testing of Medicare; Close the “donut hole” in Medicare Part D

o       and allow negotiation with drug companies; increase Medicare reimbursement rates.

o       Safeguard pensions and other retirement benefits;

o       Enact universal health care for all Americans;

      aging in place and provides for community and work opportunities, Increase funding

      and/or tax incentives for affordable senior housing.

o       Allow pretax relief for long term care premiums.  

Trustee                        Ida B. Williams-Ward    AFSCME
Trustee                        Josephine Ball Sivels      AFSCME      
Trustee                        Jack Casperrello            USWA  
Trustee                       Gerldine Cross-White     AFSCME
Trustee                       Walter Jones                  AFSCME

Vice President           William Stevens              AFSCME
Vice President            Ken Novack                 Steelworkers
Vice President            Edith Powell                  Council House

Web Site Manager    Annette Hartenstein         United Seniors of Maryland

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