Action Items:

Work for changes still needed in Medicare.

1. By 2014, Traditional Medicare will be the only health care plan left without catastrophic coverage. This discrimination against seniors must be eliminated to eliminate bankruptcies due to medical costs. CBO Budget Option 21 shows how this can be done while saving the government money.
2. The Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) calculation needs complete revision. Doctors are abandoning Medicare patients because of the pay restrictions of SGR.
3. Support the Deficit Commission’s recommendation that drug companies be required to give rebates to Medicare, as they do to other health plans.
4. Require that doctors who accept Medicare money during their residencies be trained in geriatrics. Also require that they agree to treat Medicare patients as long as they practice medicine.
5. Work for actions that increase survivability of Medicare while protecting seniors.

Work for changes to assure the sustainability of Social Security.

1. Work to eliminate the cap on payroll taxes.
2. Prohibit Congress from raiding the trust fund to pay for other programs. [JK addition.]

Support strengthening of ERISA and pensions.

1. Monitor any proposed changes to ERISA and lobby for protection of pensions under ERISA. Protect pension funds from being used for:
   1. Corporate restructuring expenses, buy-outs.
   2. CEO lavish retirement programs.
   3. Employee health care expenses.
2. Require companies to provide more visibility into corporate management of pension funds. [JK addition]

Supporting Activities:

1. Align ourselves with (support) Government representatives who support our goals and allow our issues to be heard.
2. Continue to analyze content of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for impact on retirees. Track rule-making and implementation, including at state level.
3. Demonstrate our support of the health care reform legislation whenever possible by helping others understand what it does.

June 9, 2011