Write Letter, Win Pen: A Retiree’s Prescription for Health Care Reform

Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara Easterling and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara J. Easterling encourages union retirees to contact their local newspapers about health care—and get a free union-made Retirees with the Write Stuff pen.

As Congress begins to vote on health care reform, we must all make our voices heard. One of the most effective ways to do this is by writing a letter to the editor.

In many newspapers, the Letters to the Editor page is the most widely read section. Not only can you help educate others in your community, but you can get noticed by savvy elected officials who keep a close eye on these letters to gauge the mood of their constituents.

Retirees with the Write Stuff is simple: Write letter, win pen. If a newspaper runs your letter about health care or any other retiree topic, send us a copy and you will receive a free, union-made Retirees with the Write Stuff pen.

Send us a copy of your letter at: 

Letters to the Editor
Alliance for Retired Americans
815 16th St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20006

Letters also can be e-mailed to Letters@RetiredAmericans.org or faxed to 202-637-5398.

The national health care debate is very important to retirees. Here are some ideas from the Alliance:

• Help Early Retirees. More than 5 million Americans ages 55-64 are uninsured and should be able to buy into Medicare and have regular doctor visits during this critical period of their lives.
• Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs. Allow Medicare to negotiate volume discounts with drug manufacturers. The Veterans Affairs can do this and its prescriptions cost 58 percent less.
• End Wasteful Taxpayer Subsidies to private insurance companies that run Medicare Advantage programs at a cost nearly 20 percent higher than Medicare.
• Make Long-Term Care Affordable. The CLASS Act by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) would create an insurance program to help middle-class families with the cost of long-term care.
• Continue Tax-Free Health Benefits. Eliminating or reducing the tax benefit for employers who provide health insurance would cause many companies to stop offering affordable coverage for workers and retirees.

As the nation’s health care crisis sweeps across generations, we must rise to the challenge. Our voices, our experiences and our passion can help create a nation with quality, affordable health care for all.

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