Members of Alliance for Retired Americans Meet with Lawmakers Over Recess
Activists from the Alliance for Retired Americans are wrapping up the last of nearly 70 meetings this week with U.S. Senate and House members who are on congressional recess back in their states or districts. The retired union members are speaking out about the need to strengthen Medicare as a cornerstone of health care reform.
In the meetings, Alliance members are outlining measures to lower the cost of prescription drugs, strengthen the Medicare Trust Fund and expand Medicare coverage for retirees ages 55-64.
Kourpias Retires as Alliance for Retired Americans President
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George Kourpias, president of the Alliance for Retired Americans since its inception in 2001, has announced his retirement as head of the organization.
Under Kourpias’ leadership, the Alliance grew into a 3.5 million member organization that was a leader in stopping then-President Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security. In the 2008 presidential elections, Alliance activists mobilized in key battleground states to highlight the stark contrasts between Barack Obama and John McCain on Social Security and Medicare. On Election Day, union retirees voted for Obama by 72-26 percent.
Kourpias said that on the heels of the November election, it is time to turn over the reins of the Alliance.
I have never been more proud of my fellow union retirees than I was on election night. But all that our hard work and great success guarantees us is an opportunity—nothing more. It has been a tremendous honor to help grow and lead a progressive army of grassroots retirees. We have fostered lifelong activism among union and community leaders, and I believe our collective voice has made a difference.
