FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2010
To interview Stuart Barton contact Phil Kent at (404) 226-3549
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


ASA HITS “UNFAIR OBAMACARE PAYOFF TO UNIONS”

ATLANTA— “It is unfair and outrageous that Democratic congressional leaders and President Barack Obama, meeting behind closed doors, crafted a special exemption from the so-called “Cadillac tax’ to union health plans,” says Stuart Barton, president of the American Seniors Association (ASA) representing hundreds of thousands of members nationwide. “It is an unfair payoff to unions for their legislative support. Every other American worker with a higher end plan will start to be taxed in 2013, but union members get a free pass until 2018.”



“One analyst predicts the fiscal shortfall from this union exemption will be made up partially by increases on senior prescriptions totaling a whopping $10 billion over the next five years,” Barton says.



“The popular Medicare Advantage will basically be eliminated under Obamacare. It currently allows private healthcare companies to compete to provide care based on a negotiated price. Potential enrollees have the freedom to choose from a number of different plans administered by private companies. Yet Medicare Advantage could be cut by as much as $177 billion.” Barton says.



“The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a press release a few years ago indicating that, with the inception of Medicare Advantage plans, seniors could save an average of $100 per month by switching to these plans. So why must liberals attack seniors in their expensive effort to provide everyone in America with healthcare benefits? Liberals want to eliminate free market competition to help a select few financed on the backs of many— especially fixed-income seniors,” Barton emphasizes.



“The AARP has sold out its members by openly endorsing the current House and Senate Obamacare bills— with their special interest payoffs, exorbitant taxes, cuts to Medicare and attack on Medicare Advantage,” Barton concludes.



www.americanseniors.org