Retiree Bill of Rights
I. THE RIGHT TO FINANCIAL SECURITY
II. THE RIGHT TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE
III. THE RIGHT TO AFFORDABLE RESOURCES FOR DAILY LIVING
IV. THE RIGHT TO AFFORDABLE RESOURCES FOR DAILY LIVING
V. THE RIGHT TO A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
I. THE RIGHT TO FINANCIAL SECURITY
Social Security remains the foundation of American retirement security; it provides protection for life regardless of financial markets. In addition, it is necessary that employers fulfill their obligations with regards to their workers’ pensions; promises made should not be altered. Therefore, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans supports the following:
A. Strengthening Social Security by:
a. Addressing its long-term solvency by raising or eliminating the cap on wages covered by Social Security.
b. Having Congress Repeal the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, which unfairly penalizes public sector employees by reducing Social Security benefits in direct proportion to their public sector pensions.
c. Establishing a minimum Social Security benefit so that those most dependent on Social Security get benefits at least at 100% of the poverty level.
d. Basing cost-of-living adjustments on a determination of the actual living costs for seniors and persons with disabilities.
e. Opposing privatization of Social Security by diverting Social Security funds into individual accounts subject to investment and market risks.
f. Opposing any further increase in the early retirement age or any further increase in the normal retirement age; or any other scheme to cut benefits.
B. Protecting Pensions by:
a. Preventing government under-funding of public pension plans in order to pay for other government activities.
b. Opposing any change from defined benefit to defined contribution pension plans.
II. THE RIGHT TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE
Medicare is the nation’s largest and most successful health insurance system, serving the needs of nearly 43 million senior and disabled beneficiaries. Medicare should provide a sufficient level of healthcare without unreasonable co-payments and premiums. Seniors should be able to take advantage of modern medicine so that they may have both longer and happier lives. As part of this objective, seniors require access to prescription drugs at affordable prices. In addition, since private long-term care insurance has become unaffordable for most Americans, our country must find ways to relieve pressure from both recipients of long-term care and their caregivers. Medicaid accounts for nearly half of all formal long-term care expenditures; unfortunately, recipients must spend down their assets to qualify. Therefore, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans supports the following:
A. Strengthening Medicare by:
a. Expanding benefits to include annual physical exams, dental health, vision services and eyeglasses, hearing services and hearing aids, foot care, extended preventive care; and covering for care in the most appropriate and cost effective setting.
b. Repealing the Part B premium means-testing provision and the 2010 demonstration project.
c. Opposing privatization of Medicare through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Medicare Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs).
B. The Overhaul of Part D by:
a. Opposing means testing of benefits.
b. Eliminating the donut hole.
c. Ensuring voluntary enrollment, affordable premiums, and low co-payments.
d. Offering a prescription drug benefit coverage option within traditional Medicare.
e. Lowering drug prices by:
i. Requiring the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
ii. Expanding the availability of generics.
iii. Preventing agreements between brand and generic companies to keep generics off the market.
iv. Promoting the ability of the states to use the power of bulk purchasing.
f. Eliminating the asset test for low-income recipients to receive help.
B. Mandating parity in mental health coverage.
C. Strengthening Medicaid by:
a. Opposing any attempt to end the guarantee of Medicaid for eligible individuals.
b. Protecting “dual eligibles” from increased cost-sharing and ensure coverage of essential medications.
D. Improving long-term care by:
a. Covering a range of quality care services including, but not limited to, skilled nursing care, rehabilitative services, respite care, congregate living arrangements, adult-day-care services, home care, hospice care and personal assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, dressing.
b. Expanding funding for the Family Caregiver Support Program as well as national enactment of financial and other supports for family caregivers.
c. Protecting an individual’s right to choice of provider and care environment, including one’s own home.
d. Step-up enforcement of the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 to ensure institutional settings comply with federal standards of care.
III. THE RIGHT TO AFFORDABLE RESOURCES FOR DAILY LIVING
Finding transportation is difficult for many seniors, particularly those who live in suburban or rural communities where destinations are too far to walk, public transportation is nonexistent or focused on traditional commuter routes, and private transportation is unavailable or too expensive. Furthermore, due to the Older Americans Act’s inadequate funding, there has been premature institutionalization of older Americans and waiting lists for many critical support services. High food prices combined with the decline in real funding for services that provide home-delivered meals has threatened society’s ability to provide seniors with adequate and nutritional nourishment. Finally, many seniors’ inability to pay for heating or air-conditioning represents a health risk. Therefore, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans supports the following:
A. Increased funding to vital services such as the Older Americans Act, the Social Services Block Grant Program (SSBG), the Transit Acts Program and the Low-Income Home Emergency Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
B. Opposition to irresponsible utility de-regulation that will cripple senior citizens living in their own homes on fixed incomes.
IV. THE RIGHT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES
More than seven million senior households are having difficulty paying for housing or are living in structurally substandard dwellings. Many urban areas are undergoing substantial revitalization resulting in rents that are unaffordable for older Americans. In addition, many senior households in rural areas are experiencing deterioration in housing quality. To prevent premature and inappropriate institutionalization, the HUD Service Coordinator program helps older Americans live independently by assisting them in obtaining supportive services in the community. Therefore, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans supports the following:
A. The annual construction of at least 60,000 housing units with appropriate supportive services.
B. Increased funding for all necessary services to meet the needs of older households as well as increased funding for Service Coordinators.
V. THE RIGHT TO A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Society has an obligation to take extra care over seniors who have entered institutions, because in those places they are vulnerable to manipulation, abuse, and neglect. Therefore, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans supports the following:
A. Continued opposition to state medical malpractice and tort reform proposals that limit damages to only economic harm and income.
B. The enforcement of quality assurance measures, improved data collection, and public disclosure of staffing levels at facilities for the elderly.