| You give us clout in Washington |
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GIVE NOW to Protect Benefits
for Vulnerable Seniors!
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Dear John,
As states begin to reopen, there is one group of Americans who will see little change: older Americans. That's because older Americans, who are among the most vulnerable to the coronavirus, are being told to remain at home and shelter in place as states loosen their restrictions.
During this pandemic, many seniors have put off essential visits to doctors' offices, they've been unable to spend time with their children and grandchildren, and they've been forced to refrain from activities they once enjoyed. Some seniors even lack broadband connection and cannot use computers or smartphones to interact with family and friends. And so, on top of all the other risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic, social isolation now poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of older Americans, especially those living in nursing homes.
Once again, it seems, seniors are being left behind and their needs ignored in the rush to reopen our economy. What's worse, at a time when some politicians have gone so far as to suggest that seniors' well-being should be sacrificed for the greater economic good during this pandemic — and their lives do not have as much value as younger generations — some member of Congress and advisors to President Trump are calling for devastating cuts to earned benefits.
Bottom line, older Americans continue to suffer! The coronavirus has also taken a devastating toll on older workers, thousands of whom have been forced to file for unemployment benefits. And older workers who are employed, especially those in essential jobs, remain at risk of getting sick, and often lack paid sick leave or extended paid caregiving leave. Many of these workers will rely on Social Security for the majority of their income in retirement.
For African-American communities, whose death rate from the coronavirus is 2.5 times higher than that of white Americans nationwide, the pandemic has highlighted deep inequities in our health care system. Communities of color also face gross disparities in retirement income — stemming from ongoing job discrimination and the fact that too many African-Americans are concentrated in lower-wage jobs and lack pensions. And so, any attempts to weaken or cut Social Security and Medicare would hurt senior African-Americans the most.
John, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has already taken so much from older Americans, we cannot afford to be complacent. Our earned benefits are on the line! And you — and our million+ members and supporters — are the lifeblood of our grassroots organization. You give us clout in Washington! So please help us hold our elected officials accountable for any decision that would harm the benefits that millions of older Americans, especially communities of color, are counting on to keep them out of poverty. Please chip in one urgent donation of any amount you can afford now to help bolster our immediate efforts to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare — and provide our most vulnerable citizens with the critical support they need during this difficult time!
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| Sincerely, |
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Max Richtman
President & CEO
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