Stop Raiding Our Medicare rally on Aug. 1 in Seattle

The following is from Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Security (PSARA):

SEATTLE — August 1 marks the 58th anniversary of Medicare. This is a historic accomplishment that we should celebrate. But today, our Medicare is in danger. Large private corporations are raiding the Medicare Trust Fund — and our wallets. Whether they sell Medigap insurance that covers costs traditional Medicare doesn’t pay, or they sell private plans that replace traditional Medicare — AKA Medicare Advantage — insurance companies make big bucks off our health care needs.

That’s why the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Security is planning to celebrate Medicare’s birthday with a Stop Raiding Our Medicare rally on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 11:30 a.m. outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave. in Seattle. Special guest speakers will include Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works.

In addition to PSARA, the rally is sponsored by APALA (Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance), GRACE (Grandmothers for Race and Class Equality), Health Care for All – WA, Heath Care is a Human Right, LELO (Legacy of Equality, Leadership, Organizing), PNHP – WA (Physicians for a National Health Program), and the National Writers Union.

These organizations are joining together to demand that private insurance corporations stop raiding our Medicare. As a start, we need Congress and the President to level the playing field between traditional publicly funded Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans. That means:

• Adding benefits to traditional Medicare like vision, dental, and hearing; eliminating the 20% Medicare co-pays; and capping out-of-pocket expenses;
• Eliminating excessive administrative costs and profits in private insurance programs; and
• Taking back money that the Medicare Trust Fund lost to fraud and abuse by private insurance corporations.

All are invited to join the Stop Raiding Our Medicare on Aug. 1 in Seattle. See you there!