Senior Citizens and Healthcare

Why Seniors Should Care About Getting Money Out of Politics
Social Security
Since it was established in 1935, Social Security has
been the single most important factor in reducing the poverty rate among
senior citizens; 42% of seniors depend on it to stay above the poverty
line. Groups such as stock brokers and investment firms gave over $43
million dollars in 2000 to congressional candidates, almost 60% more than
1998! These groups would benefit heavily from the privatization of Social
Security and risky maneuvering of Social Security funds, a proposal considered
by Congress.
Prescription Drug Prices
The healthcare industry spends more money than anyone
else to sway our politicians. Pharmaceutical manufacturers spent $20 million
dollars while the entire healthcare industry spent over $91 million dollars
in the year 2000, up a staggering 48% from 1998 healthcare industry contributions.
These investments have paid off: "In 1998, wholesale prices for 50
prescriptions commonly filled by the elderly rose by 6.6 percent even
though the inflation rate was 1.6 percent." Raleigh News &
Observer, 11/04/99.
Managed Care
In July 1998, Congress narrowly rejected the "Patients'
Bill of Rights," a bill designed to expand protections for patients
in HMOs and to limit abuses by insurance companies. The companies against
the "Patients' Bill of Rights" contributed $10.6 million in
PAC money to congressional candidates between 1995-1998. Did these contributions
defeat your rights as a patient?
From Public Campaign's "Why
America's Seniors Should Care about Money in Politics."

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