A few days ago, I clicked on one of the links in or after a story about social security and chained CPI. The link sent a letter or petition to the White House protesting President Obama's making this concession.
I received the email below in reply, which the White House touts all of the President's accomplishments for seniors, but does not deal with the chained CPI issue at all.
I responded as follows:
Thank you for your response concerning my inquiry regarding social security. However, the response does not deal with the issue I raised, i.e., chained CPI. As my original communication stated, chained CPI is an unnecessary step, apparently proposed only to show supposed good faith by the White House to the Republicans. That is not a good reason to concede this vital principle.
Therefore, I again urge that the President to take chained CPI "off the table" in negotiations with Republicans.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Upper West
It would be helpful for as many people here as possible to make similar communications with the White House. They should know how firmly opposed the base of his party is to Chained CPI.
White House initial reply:
The White House, Washington
Dear [Upper]
Thank you for writing. I have heard from many Americans about issues affecting seniors. Today’s economic climate further intensifies the unique challenges they face, and I appreciate your perspective.
My Administration continues to support older Americans encountering unfair treatment, financial hardship, or difficulty obtaining health care. The historic Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare by not only preserving but also expanding benefits for Americans who depend on Medicare every day. The law has helped more than five million seniors and people with disabilities save an average of over $600 on prescription drugs in the “donut hole” in Medicare coverage. Additionally, in 2011, more than 32 million seniors received 1 or more free preventive services, including the new Annual Wellness Visit. To learn about help available through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, visit www.CMS.gov.
The Affordable Care Act also helps prevent and eliminate elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Additionally, this law implements unprecedented measures to fight waste and fraud, and to improve the quality and outcomes of care for Medicare beneficiaries. It ends unwarranted subsidies to private insurance companies, and takes important steps to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, improve patient safety, modernize payment systems, and streamline record-keeping. It also realigns incentives to reward medical providers for the value, not the volume, of their care. For resources and information on how to prevent, report, and stop Medicare fraud, visit www.StopMedicareFraud.gov. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, please visit www.HealthCare.gov.
By protecting Social Security from risky privatization plans, we are preserving its solvency and maintaining it as a reliable income source for seniors. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included an additional payment to supplement Social Security benefits for seniors struggling to make ends meet, and I have called on Congress to extend this relief again. Together, we will ensure all our citizens—not just a privileged few—can retire with dignity and security.
Finally, as we work to keep America’s promises to senior citizens, we are helping make sure older Americans can continue to enrich communities across our Nation through service and community involvement. By expanding the Senior Corps and implementing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, we are creating more opportunities for seniors to share their knowledge and experience with younger generations. For more information regarding service opportunities in your area, or to share your story of service, please visit www.Serve.gov.
Thank you, again, for being in touch.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
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