October 09, 2024
Retiree Group Endorses Curtis Hertel for Election to U.S. House
Cites His Commitment to Protecting Earned Social Security and Medicare Benefits
Lansing – The Alliance for Retired Americans proudly announced its endorsement of Curtis Hertel for election to the U.S. House from Michigan’s 7th Congressional District today. The Alliance is a grassroots advocacy organization with more than 4.4 million members including almost 14,000 in Michigan’s 7th CD.
“Curtis Hertel understands the challenges facing older Americans, and retirees in Michigan can be confident that he will fight for our interests in Washington,” said Jim Pedersen, President of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans. “We trust Curtis to work to preserve our hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits. He knows that more than 2.2 million people in Michigan rely on Social Security benefits every month,” Pedersen continued.
“Here in Michigan, we took action to stand up for older people in our state. I was proud to work across the aisle to end the retirement tax, lower the price of prescriptions, and cut costs. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans in my campaign to build on the bipartisan progress we made in Michigan. In Congress, I’ll fight to strengthen Social Security and Medicare and bring down drug costs and make sure that seniors in Michigan and across the country are able to retire with dignity,” said Hertel.
Unlike Hertel, his opponent — Tom Barrett — opposed Medicare drug price negotiation and other legislative provisions which lowered drug prices for seniors; capped out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 a year; capped insulin copays at $35 per month; and made necessary vaccines free for all Medicare beneficiaries.
As a Michigan state senator, Barrett voted to shield pharmaceutical companies from liability when they sold dangerous or defective drugs. Barrett also opposes the Affordable Care Act, which protects people with preexisting conditions.
“The stakes couldn’t be higher for seniors like me. We need Curtis Hertel in the House fighting against any Republican plan to cut Social Security and Medicare,” added Mr. Pedersen. “That’s why Curtis Hertel is the obvious choice for Michigan seniors.”
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Contact: Jim Pedersen, aworker4mi@gmail.com
