President's Message
January 09, 2017
NYSARA President joins New York City Members of Congress, Patients, Healthcare Providers, Advocacy Groups to Rally against Obamacare Repeal, GOP Medicare and Medicaid Cuts
On a snowy January 7th morning at the Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY NYSARA President Barry Kaufmann joined Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-7th CD), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-12th CD), Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-8th CD) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-9th CD) at an event to rally against the current actions planned by the Republican conference in Congress. Press was invited. Despite the heavy snowfall there were over 100 people in attendance for this rally/press event. The four congressional representatives gave impassioned pleas for the maintenance of the ACA, Medicare and Medicaid despite plans by our opponents in congress to “Make America Sick Again.” NYSARA President Kaufmann said:
I am here representing 490,000 members of the NYS Alliance for Retired Americans and seniors in NYS. In the 2016 election, much to my chagrin, Donald J. Trump was elected President. 53% of seniors felt safe in voting for Trump because he was the only Republican that said he would NOT touch Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. HOWEVER 53% of seniors did not vote to repeal the ACA without a replacement that was at least as good. Americans agree with 75% against repeal and only 20% wanting immediate repeal.
53% of seniors did NOT
Vote to raise the eligibility age of Medicare
Vote to diminish Medigap policies so “seniors can have some skin in the game” (Speaker Ryan)
Vote to have Medicare costs shifted to them
Vote to Cut Social Security Benefits an average of 27% to ensure there isn’t a 21% cut decades from now (Proposed “Social Security Reform Act of 2017)
Vote to gut Medicaid, which provides 62% OF THE LONG TERM CARE IN AMERICA
THESE ARE NOT MANDATES THAT THIS ELECTION PRODUCED.
We are here to send 3 messages:
#1 We are Watching
#2 There will be massive senior pushback to Speaker Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” proposals.
#3 Senior voters WILL hold our elected’s accountable at the ballot box for their actions.