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Friday Alert August 10, 2007
Alliance for Retired Americans
888 16th Street, N.W. - Washington DC, 20006 - (202)
974-8222 - www.retiredamericans.or
Alliance Member Speaks for Millions of
Americans on Health Care
On August 7,
Steve Skvara, a disabled, retired steelworker
from Indiana, personalized the problem with health care in
America. Representing the millions of American workers who have
lost their pensions and health care in retirement and now
struggle to pay for medical care and other day-to-day expenses,
Skvara received a standing ovation and applause from the
audience and candidates at the AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates
Forum in Chicago, IL. Having retired from LTV Steel after he and
his wife, Sandy, suffered life-altering injuries in an
automobile accident, Skvara sincerely described his inability to
pay for health insurance for his wife, who he said devoted her
entire life to their family. Two years after his retirement, LTV
filed for bankruptcy, costing him one third of his pension, and
all of his health care. Skvara’s question to former
Senator John Edwards: “What’s wrong
with America, and what will you do to change it?” The
candidate suggested that the pensions and retirement funds of
corporate Chairmen and CEOs be subject to the same treatment as
workers’, and that America should develop a universal
health care system. “I'm glad in a way that the message
has been sent and heard by so many people,” said Skvara in
an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. “Health
care is a viable issue and it needs to be addressed.”
Darold Lowe, Treasurer of the Wisconsin
Alliance, joined Skvara and 20 others on a special panel
assembled by the AFL-CIO and MSNBC to watch the debate from the
front rows. Broadcast nationally on MSNBC and XM Satellite
Radio, the 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates appeared
before a crowd of 17,000 union members gathered at Soldier Field
and a national audience of millions. Questions were created and
asked by both moderator Keith Olbermann and
dozens of union members, and focused on issues critical to
working families such as jobs, health care, and pensions. In
comments after the debate on Skvara’s powerful question,
MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews wondered,
“if that wasn't a moment that's going to change American
political history,” by starting a meaningful conversation
about health care and retirement in America that candidates will
have to address in the 2008 election. “I am very proud of
Steve for sharing his story with the world,” said
George Kourpias, President of the Alliance.
“This is only one example of how seniors will make their
voices heard in this election, and it is an important example of
how powerful each one of our stories and experiences can
be.”
Social Security Backlog Means Waits for
Disability
The number of people seeking help
from the Social Security Administration (SSA) because they are
too disabled to work has created a record backlog of appeals
that is rapidly continuing to grow as the Social Security
program approaches its 62nd Anniversary on Tuesday, August 14.
According to an article last week in USA Today, more
than 745,000 applicants are waiting an average 17 months for
their disability case to be heard, both record numbers. The SSA
says this backlog has doubled in only the last six years, and
estimates it could reach 1 million cases by 2010. An increasing
overall population and the aging of baby boomers have
contributed to the buildup, as older workers are more likely to
become injured or sick on the job. At the same time, the agency
is at its lowest staff level in over 30 years, having lost more
than 2,300 workers since 2005. To receive disability, a state
agency of the SSA must first review the claim in a process
taking an average of three to four months. Approximately 65
percent of the 2.5 million people filing disability claims each
year are denied at first, until appeals are heard by federal
administrative law judges. 62 percent of appeals are ultimately
approved, but average waits for hearings range from an
additional nine months (Harrisburg, PA.) to 31 months (Atlanta,
GA). “This is a completely unacceptable way to treat
workers who have given so much to their jobs they are physically
unable to continue,” said Edward F.
Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. Currently,
15.3 million people are collecting disability benefits, an
increase of 24% over the past five years.
Seniors Face Difficult Transition to
Digital Television
While the millions of
Americans who still rely on antennas to receive traditional
broadcast signals have so far been able to ignore the growth of
digital television, they will have to make a transition by
February 18, 2009, the date the 60-year old analog channels will
be turned off. At that time, TV sets lacking digital tuners will
stop working, unless they are connected to cable or satellite
systems or an add-on conversion box. A recent piece in USA
Today notes that seniors are expected to face the most
difficulties from this switch. Americans age 50 and over watch
more television - an average 5.5 hours each day – than any
other group. They are most likely to receive broadcast
television signals over-the-air without purchasing cable or
satellite services, and least likely to own newer-model TV sets
with built-in digital tuners. Fixed incomes will prevent many
retirees from purchasing new televisions, while a number of
potential problems could arise from trying to connect add-on
tuner boxes to the back of their current sets. Furthermore,
there is significant confusion amongst the general population
regarding the transition; the National Association of
Broadcasters estimates more than 60% of people are currently
unaware of the impending switch. “This is about more than
entertainment – this is about millions of retirees
potentially losing a critical source of news and
information,” said Ruben Burks,
Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.
Less Than One Month Until Legislative
Conference!
In just over three weeks -
September 4-7, 2007 - the Alliance will hold its National
Legislative Meeting in Washington, D.C. The theme this
year is “Building for America’s Future,” and
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Rep.
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), candidates for the
Democratic nomination for U.S. President in 2008, will
speak. The President’s Award will be presented to
Elmer Blankenship, President of the Indiana
Alliance, for his lifetime of public service on behalf of older
Americans. The Leadership Award will be presented to Sen.
Debbie A. Stabenow (D-MI) in recognition of her
years of outstanding leadership in the U.S. Congress on behalf
of older Americans. 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 Legislative
Meeting attendee rate.
Become part of a progressive grassroots movement!
Join the Alliance
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Alliance for Retired Americans 815 16th
St, NW Washington, DC 20006 www.retiredamericans.org
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