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 KICKIN’
BACK
(click the kickin back link above to see the
actual PDF formatted letter)
FOR AND ABOUT ACTIVE RETIREES
SUMMER 2007
YOU MAY RETIRE FROM THE JOB, BUT YOU NEVER RETIRE FROM
YOUR UNION |
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MESSAGE FROM MARIA
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With the beginning of spring
when we are thinking about
our blessings, I reflect on the
success of our 4th International
Retirees’ Conference that was
held in Las Vegas, NV in
November of 2006.
Each conference increases, not
only in the number of attendees
but also in the strength of
networking, planning and the
focus of our members’ needs.
After the conference’s initial
sessions, the attendees participated
in workshops. They had
lively discussions and mapped
out a concrete action plan. The
plan included political activism
that was designed to unite and
energize our political base. |
This process entailed letters to
the editor, calling/e-mailing
members of Congress, networking,
and using the resources
that my office provides.
The Fourth International
Retirees’ Conference highlighted
some very important
issues:
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The Intergenerational
perspective of: “Who We
Are”
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The usual Fireside Chat -
New Deal vs. Raw Deal
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Legislative/political -
USA/Canadian issues
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Labor History -
USA/Canada |
Some other topics included
trade, Social Security, Canadian
Social Security, Medicare and
Health Care.
On a lighter note, we enjoyed
entertainment, whether it was
joke telling by Mayor and IAM
Florida State Council President
Frank Ortis, songs written and
sung by Steve Jones, or our
much acclaimed dancers - the
Back Stage Revue. Even Santa
Clause paid us an early visit.
Folks came from Canada to
Texas, Hawaii to New York and
all regions in between.
Yes, I am blessed. It was a good
year - and a great conference.
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NEW PROGRAM
In 2006 representatives of
our Community Services/EAP/Retirees Department traveled the country
listening to our retirees. Over and over
again, we heard stories laced with anxiety and concern about the
continuing loss of jobs and loss of retiree benefits.
Two concerns were the lack of trusted information and
of benefits lost. As a result, the IAM&AW’s
Community Services/EAP/Retirees Department has
developed a program designed to provide our retirees
easy access to information that details affordable
supplemental benefits.
The IAM&AW is not responsible for choosing any
particular program nor its result.
We have entrusted this
responsibility to the principals of
NASH.
We have worked with these people over enough years to be able to
gauge both their loyalty and competence. Their years
of experience with group benefits and sensitivity to
retiree needs makes them an excellent partner to help
us introduce and expand our program.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
- pays expenses not covered by
Medicare; covers prior health conditions
immediately; your contract is guaranteed renewable for
life; you can choose your own doctor.
Medicare’s Advantage Plans
- Government subsidized health
insurance - different plans have varying
benefits; a plan’s benefits can change from year to
year; many plans’ coverage are local or regional;
you MUST revisit your plan EACH YEAR.
Dental Discount Plan
- enjoy significantly reduced
fees from day one on a full array of dental care;
affordable; easy to use extensive network of
providers.
Hearing Discount Plan
- you have easy access to the
largest national provider of hearing health care
products and services; you save on products and
services.
Vision Discount Plan
- Discounts on eyewear and eye
care; access to large network of vision care centers.
Long-Term Care Insurance
- find a plan that is
affordable; allows you to choose your care; protects your
family and its savings.
For information contact NASH : Dental, Vision &
Hearing (866) 498-7913;
Medigap & Advantage Plans (800) 727-0199; EMAIL:
assist@nash-assist.com
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GENERIC DRUGS NOT ALWAYS AS AFFORDABLE AS ONE MIGHT
EXPECT
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Generics of several notable
drugs that came off patent
recently, including the
anti-depressant Zoloft, the
antibiotic Zithromax and the
allergy drug Flonase, have in
many cases failed to deliver big
savings so far, according to a
recent Wall Street Journal
article. In the case of the
cholesterol-lowering drug
Zocor, which lost patent protection
last June, the price that
many insurers pay for the
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generic version has dropped
dramatically, while the price
for patients who pay cash for
the generic often remains
high. Generics still typically
cost less than their branded
counterparts, but how much
generic prices fall depends on
factors such as how many
generics makers sell the
drug; how much competitive
pressure pharmacies feel;
whether there is another
alternative, such as a different
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generic in the same class of
drugs; and whether a particular
generics maker gets an initial
exclusivity period. By law, the
first generics maker to challenge
a patent on a branded drug and
prevail wins six months of
exclusive sales.
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NURSING HOMES SEEKING OUT SHORT-TERM PATIENTS |
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With billions of dollars at stake,
nursing homes across the nation are
rushing to reinvent themselves to
compete with hospitals and affiliated
rehabilitation facilities for
short-term, higher-paying patients.
According to the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution (March 25, 2007),
hundreds of millions of dollars
are going toward renovations and
additions, as well as new features
like aromatherapy, brightly colored |
décor, and spacious therapy gyms.
Most often, the facilities are
providing postoperative
rehabilitation for
knee and hip joint patients, but
heart attack and stroke victims are
also coming in for therapy.
Many patients are retirees, but
others are still in the workforce,
and some are as young as their 20s.
Attracting rehab patients has also
meant catering to people in their |
50s and 60s who have an
aversion to what they view as the
traditional nursing home. Medicare,
which covers care for up
to 100 days after a 3-day
hospital stay, pays two to
three times more per day
for its patients than
Medicaid, which covers
the vast majority of traditional
nursing home patients. |
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PRICES FOR MOST COMMON MEDICARE DRUGS CONTINUE TO RISE |
Costs for many of the most commonly prescribed medications are continuing
to rise under Medicare’s
new prescription drug plan, a study published recently in the
Washington Post
concludes. Government
investigators found that “prices for ten of the most prescribed
brand-name medications have shot up an
average of 6.8 percent since December under Medicare private insurance
plans, while wholesale prices
for the same drugs have risen just 3 percent.” Over the same period of
time, plan premiums have
already jumped 13 percent. While both drug manufacturers and health
insurers noted that overall
program costs remain low due to a push toward generic drugs, the
investigators note that the drugs
tracked in the study were 2004’s top 10 sellers, and only one has a
generic alternative. In 2007 alone,
while name-brand drug costs were predicted to increase 7 percent over the
entire year, they had nearly
climbed that high by mid April.
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IT WAS TRULY A DAY OF ACTION
On May 17, 2007, the IAM led
transportation workers from more than a dozen unions
in a massive rally of thousands on the
National Mall in Washington DC. The cry was
heard from the monument to the White
House:
Enough is Enough.
Folks are done
with this administration’s policies that
have plagued workers, their families and seniors
in this country.
With hundreds of our retired members in
attendance, it was a day that will not be forgotten.
Retirees
traveled from California to New York and
in between. They were in full force to support the plight of
workers and say to this administration “ ENOUGH
IS ENOUGH”.
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Kenneth and Janell Walsh
have both been elected to the Kansas State Democratic Party. They are
getting ready for the 2008 campaign.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On May 30, 2007 newly-retired Administrative Assistant from District
Lodge 751
Ron McGaha will be leaving
on his “Senior Trip”. This lone rider will be traveling
on his Harley-built motorcycle, touring the four corners of the USA. His
intention is to
travel these 11,000 miles in a 16-day venture.
Why is Ron taking his “Senior Trip”, you ask? He is collecting donations
to benefit programs for the
IAM Retirees’ Department. Ron is paying his own expenses; therefore, 100%
of contributions will
benefit the programs of the IAM Retirees’ Department.
So, join Ron in supporting the IAM Retirees by making your donation
payable to the IAM Retirees
Department, 9000 Machinists Place, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.
And remember, if you see “US BILT” on the back of a Harley-built
motorcycle - it’s Ron!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to newly formed retiree club ,
Active Retired
Machinists (A.R.M.) from
Local Lodge 1528
in Ceres, California. The officers are: Gene Britt, President; Mike
Przekurat, Vice-President;
Jessie Zavala, Secretary; and Gail Voss, Treasurer .
Congratulations A.R.M. members.
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On April 26 and April 27, 2007 there was a
Florida Statewide IAM
Retirees meeting in
Cocoa Beach, Florida. Approximately 100 retirees from all parts of the
state attended. The
leadership of the state agreed to have regional meetings.
More to come.
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ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
2007 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE—SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2007 |
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The Alliance for Retired Americans
invites members to attend its
Legislative Conference beginning
Tuesday, 9/4/07 at 1:00 p.m. and
concluding on Friday, 9/7/07 by
noon.
The Alliance for Retired Americans
is a powerful voice for retired
and working people. In six years
the Alliance for Retired Americans
population has grown to 3.4 million
members.
The major focus of the speakers,
workshops and training sessions
will be honing in on their work
with the growing State Alliances |
and educating our Federal elected
officials about the priorities for
building a safe and secure future for
all Americans. The Lobby Day
event will enable you to meet with
your Congressional Representative
and Senators.
The conference will be held at the
Hilton Washington and Towers at
1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.,
Washington, DC 20009. Hotel
reservations must be made by
calling the Hilton and Towers:
1-888-324-4586 .
Ask for the
Alliance for Retired Americans
Legislative Conference attendee |
rate ($146 a night plus tax). This
special rate is available until
7/20/07.
A banquet is scheduled for 9/6/07
at 6:00 p.m. Banquet tickets are
$70 per person and should be purchased
at the time of registration.
Contact the Alliance for Retired
Americans for a registration form
and information.
1-888-373-6497
www.retiredamericans.org
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International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro MD 20772
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Community Services/Retirees Dept.
Maria C. Cordone
Director
Phone: 301-967-3433
Fax: 301-967-3427
E-mail:
mcordone@iamaw.org |
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WE ARE ON THE WEB:
goiam.org
Click IAM Headquarters
Click Departments
Click
Community Services/Retirees
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STAY INFORMED -
SUBSCRIBE TO
iMAIL
iMail is
a twice-weekly electronic newsletter that
lets IAM members get information quickly and
efficiently. Once you subscribe, a link to the current
iMail
will be sent directly to your personal email
address every Tuesday and Thursday, or more
often as events warrant.
You can sign up on the Community Services/
Retirees Web Page. Follow the directions above.
Then click on the block “ Stay
Informed Sign Up For
iMail”. |
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DO YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NEED TO
REMOVE A NAME FROM OUR MAILING LIST?
Call our toll-free 800 number
(voice
mail):
1-800-961-4745
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For Change of Address:
1. Spell your name
2. State your old address
3. State your new address and
phone number |
To
remove someone from the mailing list
1.
Spell the person’s name
2.
State the address where the mailing was sent
3.
It is very important that you leave your name and phone number |
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PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM
A special program has been developed in alliance with
the Pequot Pharmaceutical Network (PRxN)
through a Mail Service Prescription Drug Discount
Program exclusively for IAM&AW members and
their families. You and your family may be able to
realize significant savings. Both brand name and generic
products, as well as diabetic supplies, are available.
There is no fee to join and no monthly premium or fee.
Call PRxN at 1-800-342-5779
for any questions about the
program, cost of specific medications, or to
enroll over the phone by giving your name, address,
phone number and date of birth. Please be assured
that PRxN is HIPAA compliant and protects your privacy.
Brochures are available from the IAM Community
Services Department (301) 967-3433.
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International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
View Larger Map
Upper Marlboro MD 20772
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