Friday Alert   May 4, 2007
Alliance for Retired Americans
888 16th Street, N.W. -  Washington DC, 20006 - (202) 974-8222 - www.retiredamericans.or

U.S. Senate Clears Way for Prescription Drug Reimportation Votes
The Senate broke a filibuster Thursday by a 63-28 vote on Sen. Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) amendment to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization bill that would permit the legal reimportation of prescription drugs.  However, Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) has now introduced an amendment to the Dorgan amendment that would require the FDA to first certify that reimported drugs are safe.  The Cochran amendment would kill reimportation, because the Bush Administration has refused to implement such certification in the past.  The vote on the Cochran and Dorgan amendments will occur on Monday, May 7.  Call your senators using this toll free number: 1-877-331-1223, and ask that they vote against the Cochran amendment and for a clean Dorgan amendment.  "Thank you to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for bringing this vote to the floor, to Senator Dorgan for his amendment, and to all of those Senators who voted to break the filibuster," said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance.  "But our work is not done yet.  Call your Senators and keep the momentum going."  The House has not yet taken up similar FDA legislation.

May is Older Americans' Month
The month of May is "Older Americans' Month."  It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate older Americans around the country for their life-long contributions and continuing invaluable presence in communities, as family members, activists, volunteers, mentors, friends, and leaders.  Alliance members are encouraged to celebrate Older Americans' Month in their own communities.  Now is an ideal time to let your members of Congress know that they should be working to improve the daily lives of seniors who have contributed to society for decades.  Specifically, Older Americans' Month is the perfect time to let members of Congress know that they should increase appropriations for the Older Americans' Act (OAA) by at least 10% this year. Funding from the OAA supports many key programs and services, including Meals on Wheels and Respite Care.  In Pennsylvania, for example, the Alliance will lead the effort to raise awareness about Older Americans' Month and OAA by supporting a Letters to the Editor campaign, participating in regional office visits with members of Congress, and convening a special session on the OAA at the state Alliance Convention.  As successful activists on issues affecting the lives of seniors, such as Medicare Part D and Social Security, Alliance members are key advocates for increasing funding and supporting programs for older Americans, including the OAA.

Employee Free Choice Act Being Considered by the Senate
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is moving through the Senate, and retirees need to help!  EFCA, S. 1041, is a bill that would give workers the right to form unions without interference from bosses and corporations.  "Tomorrow's retirees won't have benefits if today's workers can't bargain, so we need to do our part to help pass this crucial legislation," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.  "EFCA already passed in the U.S. House, but time is running out in the Senate.  In the coming weeks, you'll receive e-mails about how to get involved in your state: You can call your Senators, write letters to the editor of your local paper, attend rallies and other events, and talk to your family and friends about this important issue.  There is so much we can and must do - generations of future retirees are counting on us," continued Mr. Burks.

Verizon Goes After Retirees' Health Coverage
Many Alliance members were among the hundreds of chanting activists who rallied on Thursday outside Verizon's annual shareholders meeting in Pittsburgh.  The company is proposing to eliminate all retiree health care benefits in 2008.  Alliance president George J. Kourpias issued a statement of support decrying the attempt by the corporate giant to give itself a break at taxpayer expense by forcing its retirees to become dependent on programs such as Medicare.  "Verizon cares so much about pleasing Wall Street that it is willing to callously turn its back on loyal, long-time workers," said Mr. Kourpias.  "Too many corporations are breaking the promises they made to the men and women who gave them decades of their lives.  American workers and retirees have worked too hard to be treated this way," he added.

Nominees Named to Head CMS and Regulate Pensions
On Thursday, the President nominated Kerry N. Weems, a longtime federal health official, to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid.  If confirmed, Mr. Weems will replace Mark McClellan, who left the agency in October 2006.  President Bush also said on Thursday that he intends to fill two long-vacant top pension regulator positions.  He will nominate Charles E.F. Millard, a managing director at a New York real estate investment and management firm, to be the next director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and Bradford Campbell to be the assistant secretary of labor and head of the Labor Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration, which regulates pension plans.  Mr. Campbell currently serves as Acting Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Alliance Conventions
Edward Coyle is in Indianapolis Friday, May 4 to address the annual convention of the Indiana Alliance for Retired Americans. 

In just five months - September 4-7, 2007 - the national Alliance will be holding its Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.  The theme this year is "Building for America's Future."  Send your registration by July 20, 2007, to take advantage of the early bird rate.  The registration fee is $80.00; after July 20th the registration fee is $95.00.  To obtain copies of the official registration form, either call 1-888-373-6497, email Joni Jones at jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our website at www.retiredamericans.org.  The conference will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers.  Hotel reservations must be made by calling the Hilton and Towers directly at 1-888-324-4586.  Be sure to ask for the Alliance for Retired Americans National Convention attendee rate.  The discounted room rates are $146 a night (plus tax) and are guaranteed until July 20, 2007.

Become part of a progressive grassroots movement!

Join the Alliance: www.retiredamericans.org/join

Alliance for Retired Americans 815 16th St, NW Washington, DC 20006 www.retiredamericans.org