Archived Messages From the President
March 9th, 2015
The press release below deals with legislation that RetireSafe believes could save older Americans money and help them stay independent. Affordable transportation is a big expense for seniors but also has a huge positive impact on their quality of life. We support the legislation detailed below and ask for your active participation by voicing your support atwww.KeepAutoPartsAffordable.org.
RetireSafe Applauds New Legislation to Protect Seniors’ Access to Affordable Alternative Crash Parts
Washington, D.C., February 26, 2015 – Representing 400,000 senior citizen supporters across America, RetireSafe today applauded the reintroduction of the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act. This bipartisan legislation was introduced this week by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in the Senate (S. 560), and by the new House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) in the House (H.R. 1057). Commending the four lead sponsors, RetireSafe President Thair Phillips called the bill “a top priority for senior support.”
The PARTS Act, which protects competition in the automotive aftermarket, would continue to provide seniors with affordable alternative collision repair parts when repairing their cars after an accident. Without this legislative fix, motoring consumers will pay up to 50 percent more in additional repair costs, an estimated $1.5 billion more each year. Those who cannot afford to pay those costs may be forced to forgo repairing their vehicles, resulting in both a personal and a public safety risk. In some cases, the higher costs would lead insurers to declare more damaged vehicles as “total wrecks.” This will force consumers to buy newer vehicles and pay higher insurance premiums.
“Most seniors live on fixed incomes,” stated Phillips. He added, “If they can’t afford to fix their cars when they get into an accident, they may well have to quit driving and thus lose their independence.” “This is a very important issue for older Americans,” he continued.
Phillips went on to note, “This legislation will have a huge, positive impact on any and all seniors on the road, as any increase in repair costs is a major burden.” He concluded, “RetireSafe strongly supports this legislation and urges seniors and all consumers who oppose car companies having a crash parts monopoly to voice their support at www.KeepAutoPartsAffordable.org ”