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June 14, 2006
At our annual luncheon we honored the retirement of Roger Babusci, John Groetsch, Dr. Leon Pamphile, George Riley and Debbie Vallor. We wish them well and a long lasting happy retirement.
AFT/June 2006
KEY HOUSE REPUBLICAN RENEWS SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION TALK
Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), who hopes to become chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee if Republicans retain control of the Congress after the next election, told reporters at the Chamber of Commerce on June 5 that Congress should make privatizing Social Security its top priority in 2007. The statement led to a flurry of comments from key leaders who oppose privatization. "McCrery spilled the beans about a topic Republicans have avoided discussing in the 2006 elections," AFL-CIO president John Sweeney said. He continued, "The American people made clear they don't want to replace Social Security's guaranteed benefits with risky private accounts that would force drastic cuts in middle-class benefits and saddle future generations with trillions in federal debt." Now head of the House Ways and Means Committee's Social Security panel, Rep. McCrery is considered the front runner to preside over the full committee next year, following the retirement of current Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.). Ironically, the same day McCrery made his Social Security privatization remarks, a new study predicted 43 percent of working-age households are not likely to have enough to retire on and maintain their standard of living.
INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS ON REFORMING U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM RELEASED
The U.S. should develop a public policy that guarantees access to affordable healthcare for all U.S. residents by 2012, according to interim recommendations released on June 2 by the Citizens' Health Care Working Group. Established by Congress in 2003 to solicit input from the U.S. public about healthcare reform, the group has so far received input from about 23,000 U.S. residents through online polls, community meetings in 31 cities and written comments. Based on responses, the group recommends that the U.S. establish:
� protection from catastrophic health costs;
� a "core" benefits package for all residents;
� integrated community health networks;
� more focused efforts to improve quality of care and efficiency; and
� new methods to provide and fund hospice, palliative care and other end-of-life care to give U.S. residents with advanced and incurable conditions more options.
There will be a 90-day public comment period on the recommendations. In September, the group will send the final recommendations to President Bush and to Congress, which will hold hearings. For more information, visit http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov/. Those wishing to comment on the interim recommendations may do so by August 31.
AARP July 2006
Food: Nature's Medicine
Chicken soup for a cold? An apple a day? While there's no one food to cure disease, there are certain foods that have vital nutrients and antioxidants that can protect you against illness. Take a bite!
Keep Your Cool in the Heat
With temperatures on the rise, you have to be extra cautious�especially when exercising�to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or dehydration. Follow these tips from the CDC to keep your cool during extreme heat.
What to Know about Blood Thinners
If you take a blood thinner to prevent clots, the more you know the better. Take charge of your health and safety. Get your questions answered about blood thinners.
AFT Retirees/July 2006
SAVE WITH AFT PLUS HEALTH CLUBS DISCOUNT
When you retired, you probably promised yourself you�d start exercising, but somehow, like most of us, you never got around to it. To help you and your family take better care of yourselves and save money on monthly health club fees, AFT PLUS is offering 20 percent to 60 percent discounts on monthly fees at more than 1,500 health clubs nationwide. You can cancel your membership at any time or freeze it and activate it at a later date. The program also allows you to transfer membership between participating health clubs for just $10. To find out more, call 888/294-1500 or visit www.unionplus.org/healthclubs.
