Don't Privatize Medicare - E-mail Your Senators Today!

In a courageous move, the U.S. House of Representatives last month passed a bill that expands health insurance for needy children AND stops the privatization of Medicare.  The Senate bill was not as strong and does not include the provision to protect and strengthen Medicare.  But we still have a chance to include Medicare protection in the final bill.

Send the letter below to your two senators.  Let them know that it's time to protect health care for needy kids—and for seniors.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Privatize Medicare

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Early last month, the U.S. House and Senate passed bills to expand State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health insurance coverage for poor children.

In addition to expanding SCHIP, the House bill included a measure that ends the privatization of Medicare by rolling back the so-called "Medicare Advantage" program -- a scheme passed in 2003 that diverts $160 billion away from traditional Medicare and into the pockets of the private insurance industry. Unfortunately, the Senate bill did not include this measure.

Now the two bills are being merged -- and you have a big say in whether the final bill ends Medicare privatization.

Please make sure that the final SCHIP bill includes an end to the privatization of Medicare.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 14, 2007


Background Information

 

Stop Medicare Privatization

In 2003, Congress passed so-called “Medicare Advantage” – a law that gave away $160 billion to private insurance companies if they provide seniors with a private plan as an alternative to traditional Medicare benefits.

But many of these private plans bait seniors with a few added benefits, then jack up the out-of-pocket costs for home health care, physician visits and hospital care.  And the more seniors who get locked into these private plans, the fewer resources there are to support traditional Medicare.

AFSCME supports the repeal of these overpayments to private insurance companies and the strengthening of traditional Medicare.

Medicare Advantage – Background

Click on the documents below to learn about the so-called “Medicare Advantage” program and why it’s nothing more than a stealth scheme to privatize Medicare.

Events

AFSCME and our partners are leading events throughout the country to educate lawmakers and the public about how insurance companies are privatizing Medicare. Click on the links below to see photos and press coverage from these events.