Social Security
Since the Social Security Act became law in 1935, people have fought to expand eligibility and increase payments multiple times. Today, Social Security is under attack. Radical Elders join with others to fight and preserve Social Security and work to expand Social Security to include more benefits for more people.
Right Now, We Demand. . . .
- That all Social Security staff be rehired.
- NO cuts and NO privatization of Social Security—that means NOT putting our money in the stock market, NOT giving it to Wall Street!
- That the retirement age NOT be raised.
- Social Security payments that provide a living wage income, so you don’t have to choose between buying food and paying rent.
- That those who earn more, pay more. Remove the cap on income so that wealthy people pay into the system on their ENTIRE salary.
- That farm workers and domestic workers, who now are not included, be brought into the Social Security system.
- That undocumented people who pay in, but are not eligible to receive benefits, be included.
- That unpaid work, e.g. in prisons and in homes, be included in Social Security.
What’s Happening to Medicare Now?
Our public healthcare system is under attack̉—both Medicare and Medicaid are being privatized.
Privatization means private, for-profit control of health care: Private companies make money for owners of healthcare companies. That encourages them to cut services.
Original Medicare is government-run. Medicare (dis)Advantage is not Medicare, but is actually “managed care” run by private, for-profit insurance companies.
Original Medicare is too expensive. Low-wage workers struggle to afford it, plus a “Medigap” and a drug coverage program, to get full care. Original Medicare needs to be made affordable so that Medicare (dis)Advantage plans and Prior Authorization can be eliminated.
A new pilot project in 6 states will bring “prior authorization”, one of the worst features of Medicare (dis) Advantage, into Original Medicare. Prior Authorization limits access to care until your insurance company approves your doctor’s referral, leading to delays of care and denials. Worse, the approval is not done by doctors, but by AI machines—and companies get paid based on how much AI denies.
Keep privatization and prior authorization out of Original Medicare!
End Medicare (dis)Advantage!
Impact of Safety-Net Cuts: Medicaid, Medicare, ACA (Obamacare), CHIP, & SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Costs skyrocket up, care goes down: higher premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket costs for families, while benefits are slashed.
- Tightened eligibility & ending subsidies, kicks millions off the rolls.
- With less funding, rural hospitals and community health centers shut down, critical services are cut, and entire communities have little or no access to care.
Private Health Insurers Profit from and Abuse Medicaid and Medicare (dis)Advantage
- Privatization increases out-of-pocket costs, premiums, and deductibles.
- Medicaid has become “Managed Care”, which is one way for insurance companies to control your doctors and limit their choices.
- “Upcode”—call people sicker than they are—to overcharge Medicare or Medicaid, without actually treating them.
- Use prior authorizations and unwarranted denials and delays to cut their cost.
- Overpayments enrich the CEOs and stockholders of these companies.
Fight Back
End Private Corporations Exploiting Our Public-Funded Healthcare Programs
- ENGAGE neighbors and unite to visit your local leaders, organizations, and representatives
- LEARN about Improved and Expanded Medicare for All: A national single-payer program without for-profit companies capturing our tax dollars
- Demand and organize for the New York Health Act, which will provide universal coverage for everyone in NY State, or similar programs in other states
- Speak to your family, friends, and neighbors
- Join physicians, healthcare professionals, labor unions, and grassroots/political groups organizing for a more people-centered health system, ensuring equity and dignity for all
- Demand Health Care as a Human Right
In this country, we are not guaranteed the right to health care, housing, income, or education. We need to build a multiracial movement to fight for our basic human rights.
Created by the Radical Elders Health Working Group