Alliance for Retired Americans Airs New TV Spots in Grassroots Campaign to Stop Passage of Medicare Bill 11/21/2003
From: Ilana Sabban of the Alliance for Retired Americans, 202-974-8264, isabban@retiredamericans.org WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Alliance for Retired Americans is continuing its national grassroots campaign to educate seniors on the Medicare bill. The Alliance, which represents 3 million union and other retirees, is fighting efforts by Congress and the Bush Administration to privatize Medicare. The Alliance categorically opposes the Medicare conference report announced by conferees on November 20. A new television spot begins airing nationally and regionally on Friday, November 21, 2003. "Rather than working on adding an affordable prescription drug benefit under Medicare, the conferees have produced a bad bill that will do more harm than good," said George J. Kourpias, president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. "With this legislation, Medicare is prohibited from negotiating lower drug prices, seniors will end up with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs and 2.7 million retirees could lose their existing employer-provided drug coverage." Congressional conferees announced a final report yesterday, and the 1,200-page bill may be called for vote in the House as early as today. "The Republican leadership is presenting the bill as 'take it or leave it' without any changes," said Edward F. Coyle, executive director of the Alliance. "That is totally unacceptable, and the Alliance will fight to defeat this bill at the grassroots. Seniors won't be fooled. They know a lemon when they see it." While the Alliance and its members have long fought for a much needed prescription benefit under Medicare, the proposed bill would do too much to destroy the fundamental principles of the Medicare program. Congress needs to get back to work and pass a workable, affordable prescription drug bill. A script of the regional ad is attached. For more information about the public awareness campaign or to get a video copy, contact Ilana Sabban at (202) 974-8264. ------ Script of TV Spot: Visual: Senior in mall Audio: "It's very unfair." Visual: Senior in mall Audio: "I think it's just awful." Visual: Montage of seniors CG: 64 percent of seniors oppose Medicare bill. Source: Peter D. Hart Research, Nov. 17-18, 2003 Audio: Sixty-four percent of seniors oppose the new Medicare bill in Congress. Why? Visual: Cut to screen: Cg: Medicare Drug Plan: Pay more to keep doctors or be forced into HMO. Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 6-26-03 http://www.retiredamericans.org Audio: Because we'll have to pay more to keep our choice of doctors and hospitals, or be forced to switch to HMOs. Visual: Cg: Medicare Drug Plan: Bans negotiations for lower prices. Source: H.R. 1, Title VIII, S. 1, Title III, http://www.retiredamericans.org Audio: It actually bans Medicare from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices. Visual: Cg: Medicare Drug Plan: Thousands in out-of-pocket costs. Source: S. 1 and H.R. 1, 6-27-03; Kaiser Family Foundation, http://www.retiredamericans.org Audio: And it leaves most seniors with thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs. Visual: Senior in mall Audio: "It's not a good thing at all." Visual: Footage of Capitol Cg: Call Your Senators, 800-511-3802, http://www.retiredamericans.org Audio: Call Your Senators. Tell them to vote no, Visual: cg: Get us a Medicare drug benefit that works! Audio: and get us a Medicare drug benefit that works! |