Saving Medicare

Oct 8, 2004 11:05 AM

This resolution was passed by the March 17, 2004 Delegate Assembly on opposing the "Bummed Bush Bill" on Medicare.

Whereas, Medicare has served as a safety net for millions of senior citizens by providing quality health care since its creation in 1965 and should be strengthened, not weakened, with prescription drug coverage at affordable rates; and

Whereas, the UFT at its November 5, 2003 Delegate Assembly voted to oppose the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill that was being considered by Congress; and

Whereas, on Friday, November 21, 2003 the House of Representatives passed a Medicare bill by a vote of 220-215 and on Tuesday, November 25, 2003, the Senate also passed this legislation by a vote of 54-44, legislation that paves the way for private insurers and drug companies to benefit from the $400 billion dollar price tag at the expense of senior citizens; and

Whereas, the legislation makes no attempt to speed up the availability of generic drugs by encouraging re-importation of these drugs, a deficiency in the legislation which is harmful to existing retiree health plans; and

Whereas, for senior citizens whose health improvements depend on long-term use of costly prescription drugs, the legislation will hinder their ability to access those drugs; and

Whereas, public reports indicate that proponents of the legislation made recommendations to set limits on the use of general tax revenues in order to hold down the costs, a tactic that will result in a reduction of benefits and an increase in premiums; and

Whereas, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) rushed to endorse this defective legislation and was prepared to spend over $7 million in advertisements to support it; therefore be it:

Resolved, that the UFT urge members of the AARP to withdraw their membership and contact the organization and request that it rescind its support for the new law; and be it further

Resolved, that the UFT join with NYSUT, the AFT, AFL-CIO and Alliance for Retired Americans in a strategy for Medicare’s future that would

Keep the issue of price controls alive by continuing the fight for reimportation and access to Canadian and Western European drugs, attacking drug company price gouging and supporting legislation that permits Medicare to negotiate prices.

Support legislative efforts to correct the abuses in the new bill.

Tell our story in the 2004 campaign by backing those U.S. senators and representatives who opposed this handout to drug and insurance companies and supported controlling drug prices and fighting privatization of Medicare. Take advantage of the backlash that will occur when the plan is implemented in 2006 and champion a solution that replaces the private, market drug benefit with a publicly provided, price-controlled benefit. This could be a key issue in the 2006 congressional campaign.