All posts by rebecca

KFF Health News: Deep Flaws in FDA Oversight of Medical Devices, and Patient Harm, Exposed in Lawsuits and Records

Living with diabetes, Carlton “PeeWee” Gautney Jr. relied on a digital device about the size of a deck of playing cards to pump insulin into his bloodstream. The pump, manufactured by device maker Medtronic, connected plastic tubing to an insulin reservoir, which Gautney s... Read more

KFF Health News: Extra Fees Drive Assisted Living Profits

Assisted living centers have become an appealing retirement option for hundreds of thousands of boomers who can no longer live independently, promising a cheerful alternative to the institutional feel of a nursing home. But their cost is so crushingly high that most Americans ... Read more

Retirees Urge Senate to Confirm O’Malley as SSA Commissioner

Statement by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in support of Governor Martin O'Malley’s nomination for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration: “Sixty-six million Americans - one out of every five households – relies on ... Read more

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Arizona Alliance in 2022 Cochise County Election Case; Hand Counting Ballots Not Allowed in Arizona Elections

The Arizona State Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Arizona Alliance Wednesday, deciding that the Cochise County supervisors and the county recorder had no authority under Arizona law to attempt to hand count all ballots cast in the 2022 general election. The case is Arizona... Read more

Alliance for Retired Americans Hosts Fourth Annual Retirement Security Symposium

Government officials, labor movement leaders, policy experts, Social Security and pension advocates, academics, attorneys, and economists gathered to discuss retirement security and social insurance issues with hundreds of virtual and in-person participants Tuesday at the Allianc... Read more

ACTION NEEDED: Tell CMS that Nursing Homes Need More Staff to Keep Residents Safe

The health and safety of nursing homes residents is put at risk when there are not sufficient nurses and aides to meet their needs. Currently, the number of staff in 7 in 10 nursing homes’ staffing levels is below the level experts have determined is necessary to prevent reside... Read more

House Budget Committee Holds “Fiscal Commission” Hearing

On Thursday, the House Budget Committee held a full committee hearing entitled "Sounding the Alarm: Examining the Need for a Fiscal Commission." Led by Republican Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX), the hearing primarily focused on why a fiscal debt commission is necessary. Republi... Read more

Position Paper: Expanding Social Security

Today 66 million Americans – one out of every five households – relies on Social Security’s lifetime, guaranteed benefits. To continue to provide retirement security for current and future generations, it is time to strengthen and expand Social Security and increase bene... Read more

WSARA 2023 Convention

The WA State Chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans (WSARA) held its 2023 Annual Convention in person on September 12. Laurie Weidner from the Retired Public Employees Council of WA and Rick Olson from Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees were both re-elected to ne... Read more