The Alliance for Retired Americans Award
Last week I had the privilege of being honored by The Alliance for Retired Americans. They presented me with their lifetime of service award because I have always fought hard for seniors and veterans in my state and across the nation.
This award is especially meaningful to me because its very first recipient was my good friend Senator Ted Kennedy – and I am always honored to be in any club that includes Ted Kennedy.
It’s been about three weeks since I stood behind President Obama as he signed his name on the historic health care bill, but I’m so proud to say that the reforms for which we fought for a century are now the law of the land.
This would never have happened without the steadfast support of the Alliance for Retired Americans. It would not have happened without their courage – their dedication to standing up for what is necessary, and what is right – and their determination to separate the facts from the fear.
This year, we will finally start to crack down on insurance companies who think it’s OK to charge someone higher premiums because of their age, or because of a pre-existing condition.
These landmark reforms will crack down on the waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. When we do, we’ll add years to Medicare’s life, which will add years to our seniors’ lives. And we’re not only making it stronger for seniors; we’re also making sure Medicare is around and solvent for our children and grandchildren, when their time comes.
I'm especially proud that this legislation will also guarantee seniors free preventative care, like annual physicals and check-ups, and better care for chronic illnesses.
And I'm most proud of the fact that we will finally close the “doughnut hole” through which too many seniors have fallen.
We think seniors should be able to afford all of their prescriptions. We don’t think they should have to choose which pills to split and which pills to skip.
Among the earliest benefits of reform is a rebate check seniors will start getting this year to help pay for their medications. That will help seniors stay healthy while we close that loophole, once and for all, for nearly 60,000 Nevada seniors and many more across the country.
I am humbled by the award I received, and I want to again sincerely thank the Alliance for thinking of me. But I know that it is not just recognition of what we’ve done together in the past. When I look at this award, I will see it as a call to action for the future. And when I accepted that award, I did so proudly -- but with strong a sense of responsibility.
Together we’ve accomplished a lot in the last year, but we don’t pretend for a minute our work is done. As we move forward, I know the Alliance will be right there with me. And I will be there with them. You have my word.
The Alliance for Retired Americans Award
Last week I had the privilege of being honored by The Alliance for Retired Americans. They presented me with their lifetime of service award because I have always fought hard for seniors and veterans in my state and across the nation.
This award is especially meaningful to me because its very first recipient was my good friend Senator Ted Kennedy – and I am always honored to be in any club that includes Ted Kennedy.
It’s been about three weeks since I stood behind President Obama as he signed his name on the historic health care bill, but I’m so proud to say that the reforms for which we fought for a century are now the law of the land.
This would never have happened without the steadfast support of the Alliance for Retired Americans. It would not have happened without their courage – their dedication to standing up for what is necessary, and what is right – and their determination to separate the facts from the fear.
This year, we will finally start to crack down on insurance companies who think it’s OK to charge someone higher premiums because of their age, or because of a pre-existing condition.
These landmark reforms will crack down on the waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. When we do, we’ll add years to Medicare’s life, which will add years to our seniors’ lives. And we’re not only making it stronger for seniors; we’re also making sure Medicare is around and solvent for our children and grandchildren, when their time comes.
I'm especially proud that this legislation will also guarantee seniors free preventative care, like annual physicals and check-ups, and better care for chronic illnesses.
And I'm most proud of the fact that we will finally close the “doughnut hole” through which too many seniors have fallen.
We think seniors should be able to afford all of their prescriptions. We don’t think they should have to choose which pills to split and which pills to skip.
Among the earliest benefits of reform is a rebate check seniors will start getting this year to help pay for their medications. That will help seniors stay healthy while we close that loophole, once and for all, for nearly 60,000 Nevada seniors and many more across the country.
I am humbled by the award I received, and I want to again sincerely thank the Alliance for thinking of me. But I know that it is not just recognition of what we’ve done together in the past. When I look at this award, I will see it as a call to action for the future. And when I accepted that award, I did so proudly -- but with strong a sense of responsibility.
Together we’ve accomplished a lot in the last year, but we don’t pretend for a minute our work is done. As we move forward, I know the Alliance will be right there with me. And I will be there with them. You have my word.
