For Immediate Release                                    Contact: Vicki Robb, 703-329-3356   vrobb@retiresafe.org

RetireSafe calls the Seniors’ Health Care Bill of Rights the Real Cure for Older Americans  

Washington , D.C.   August 24, 2009 - RetireSafe applauds Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee for outlining some crucial steps for health care to protect senior Americans. “We look at The Seniors’ Health Care Bill of Rights, unveiled today, as an “emergency medical intervention” that will help ensure that seniors will receive access to quality health care,” stated Thair Phillips, RetireSafe President.  RetireSafe is a bipartisan, grassroots senior advocacy organization based in Washington , D.C.

According to Phillips, RetireSafe’s 400,000 plus supporters have been outraged at the proposed health care reform plan which would have senior citizens paying a steeper price and their treatment options reduced or rationed.

Phillips continued, “ America ’s greatest generation is grateful to have the RNC Chairman join us in the battle to protect their rights in this debate.  We are gratified that some of our nation’s leaders have taken a stand to resuscitate, instead of debilitate, the health care plan for the elderly,” he said.

RetireSafe agrees with the stand the RNC is taking to prohibit government from getting between seniors and their doctors. Phillips emphasized, “What seniors want and need is to maintain their valued relationship with their doctors, and to have the ability to make quality health care choices. They don’t need nor want a health-care program that gives them far less power to control their own medical decisions,” he stressed.

RetireSafe also applauds the RNC for opposing efforts to ration health care based on age.  “The Administration’s ‘comparative effectiveness research’ could lead to government boards rationing treatments based on age.  This is an unfair sacrifice, and if the president’s plan passes, they’ll literally pay through the nose, teeth and every other body part as well,” he said.

According to RetireSafe, the RNC contract is the shot in the arm that older Americans have needed since this debate started. “It’s the ‘code blue’ for saving the nation’s elderly from a proposed system which does not have their best interest at heart,” concluded Phillips.

RetireSafe is a grassroots organization representing more than 400,000 older Americans nationwide. Its mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the options and benefits of seniors and near-seniors.