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* Similar releases with state specific information were prepared for other states
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
~ Millions of Seniors ~ One Voice ~No Privatization ~
August 1 , 2007
NEWS RELEASE
New York Seniors Urge Congress to Cast a Vote
For Children and Seniors
Members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare have written more than 73,000 letters, placed hundreds of phone calls and made special visits to every Representative's office today to urge the passage of desperately needed reforms to the Medicare Modernization Act. More than 27,000 of the letters delivered to Capitol Hill came from seniors throughout the state of New York .
HR 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act , being debated in Congress reauthorizes the children's health insurance program, SCHIP, while also phasing out billions in Medicare Advantage insurer subsidies and improving access to healthcare for seniors. The CHAMP Act puts Congress' healthcare focus back where it should be, on American families not industry profits.
Contrary to the rhetoric provided by lobbyists for the insurance industry the CHAMP Act does not take away seniors' Medicare. It does eliminate government subsidies to private insurers already reporting record profits thanks to the lucrative private Medicare Advantage program. In New York, Med icare Advantage insurers charge $1,113 more per person (14% more) than what it costs to provide care for patients in Medicare. The state of New York and the federal government will pay an extra $1.8 million this year alone, in premium costs for these private plans.
"This legislation will not abandon seniors or socialize medicine; however, it will eliminate massive industry subsidies and use that money to provide improved benefits for seniors and health insurance for more American children. For those of us truly committed to senior and health issues this is a no-brainer. Seniors in New York and nationwide agree." ... Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO
Photos of today's Capitol Hill visits; including to New York Congressional offices can be found on our website at: http://www.ncpssm.org/multimedia/
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Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
The National Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.