Hurricane Ian Causes Loss of Life, Epic Damage Across Florida, American Southeast

Hurricane Ian devastated Florida Wednesday and Thursday, turning toward Georgia and South and North Carolina Friday as it made its way through the American Southeast.

“We offer our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in Hurricane Ian and a speedy economic recovery to everyone who will need to rebuild due to this horrific storm,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We must pull together at a time like this. If you are able to check on seniors and others in your neighborhood who may be in dire need, please do so.”

Alliance Joins President Biden at White House Inflation Reduction Act Event

event, including President Roach, executive board member Maria Cordone, Maryland/DC Alliance President Carol Rosenblatt, Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta and others.

“Alliance members have been working for decades to lower drug prices by requiring Medicare to negotiate a better deal with drug corporations,” said President Roach. “We are grateful that the President recognized our efforts and look forward to the law making a difference in older Americans’ lives in the years to come.”

Arizona Alliance, Priorities USA and Voto Latino Win Challenge Against Two Provisions in Arizona Voter Suppression Law

The Arizona Alliance, Priorities USA and Voto Latino announced a significant victory Thursday in the groups’ recent legal challenge against Arizona’s SB 1260, a bill designed to suppress the vote. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law’s felony and registration cancellation provisions which unfairly target voter registration and mobilization efforts and criminalize common voter behavior. 

This ruling follows a legal challenge filed in August arguing that SB 1260 violates due process, the First and Fourteenth Amendments as well as the National Voter Registration Act. The judge’s ruling temporarily blocked the provision in SB 1260 that required canceling an individuals’ voter registration without notification as a violation of the National Voter Registration Act. The judge also blocked the provision that makes it a felony to provide any voting assistance to voters registered in another state on the grounds that the text of the statute was unconstitutionally vague.

“The members of the Arizona Alliance understand that the right to vote is sacred. Educating our members and seniors across the state about how to register and cast their ballots is one of our top priorities,” said Saundra Cole, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans. “SB 1260 is almost certain to disenfranchise older Arizonans who may have moved to the state to retire, or moved from their long-time home to live in a retirement community or nursing home, or with a family member. We wholeheartedly oppose this voter suppression law.”

“The Alliance for Retired Americans is fighting to make sure every one of our 4.4 million members nationwide, and all older Americans, can exercise their fundamental constitutional right to vote,” said Executive Director Fiesta. “That means challenging laws that are designed to suppress votes and will disenfranchise our members and older Americans.”

Break on Medicare Premiums in 2023 Comes as Welcome News

For the first time in a decade, seniors will pay lower monthly premiums for Medicare’s Part B plan in 2023. Medicare Part B covers routine doctors’ visits and other outpatient care.

The 3% decrease in monthly premiums is likely to be coupled with a historically high cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits — likely in the 8-10% range — putting hundreds of dollars directly into the pockets of millions of retirees next year.

The 2023 decrease in monthly Medicare premiums comes after millions of beneficiaries saw a dramatic increase to premiums in 2022. Most people on Medicare will pay $164.90 a month for Part B coverage starting next year, a savings of $5.20. In addition, the annual deductible for the Part B program will decrease $7 to $226.

“Seniors can look forward to further health care savings in the future thanks to the free vaccines and lower drug prices that will come from the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

Alliance Members Cheer Additional Funding for SSA in Continuing Resolution

The Senate advanced a continuing resolution — a bill to sustain government funding at current levels, often called a “CR” — on Thursday that would keep the government running through Dec. 16. The House followed suit on Friday and President Biden is expected to sign the legislation later on Friday.

“The Senate and House came through for seniors and everyone who relies on Social Security to make ends meet," said Executive Director Fiesta. "The $400 million for SSA contained in the Continuing Resolution beyond the FY22 level will go a long way toward addressing wait lists, response time, and other necessary improvements at SSA facilities. It also ensures staff won’t be cut.”

“This much-needed funding will help make certain seniors can get the services they rely on in a timely manner,” he continued.

He added that SSA should be funded at an even higher level going forward, as President Biden has requested, so that the hardworking SSA personnel have the resources they need to deliver for the American people.

New Mexico Alliance Holds its Convention with Several Elected Officials in Attendance

Governor Michelle Luján Grisham, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, and U.S. Reps. Melanie Ann Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez also spoke at the event.

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