Love this video!!!

I know. The quotes are GREAT!

Amazing! I love it!!!

Ditto, Bill Sive!

is there a link that we can access this!!

Welcome CARA friends!

Yes, recording will be on our website soon after our forum.

Raise the cap for social security contributions. That's a start/

Here, here. Having a cap is insane

3 cheers for us seniors!

Don’t most Republicans depend on Social Security too? Does it sound like they would be shooting themselves in the foot, and risk alienating lots of members of their own party, or am I missing something?

Is there a link to the opening video?

Hello CARA members from Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action(PSARA). You do great work and we look forward to watching and supporting your action in Bakersfield

it does Kent; and that’s why he so-called Freedom Caucus wackadoos have reaped the whirlwind that will come back to bite them in 2024.

Voting against their own self-interests is the hallmark of the Republican base

This event with the video is being recorded and will be on our website by Monday, Feb 6th at www.californiaalliance.org

Go after the tax dodgers and tax cheats instead of sabotaging social security. Conservative RepubliCONS love to sabotage government.

Could you disable the chat so we can focus on the speaker??

Social Security Fairness means providing earned benefits for California teachers, police, fire and city workers. CARA supports repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. House Members must co-sign HR 82. See ssfairness.org. CA retired teachers can lose more than $150,000 in earned benefits by the time they turn 80.

Reacted to "Could you disable th..." with 👍

Nancy Scott, you can disable the previews by clicking the arrow next to "Chat" at the bottom of your screen, and that should reduce the distraction.

You can turn it off.

Ronal Reagan & Social Securityhttps://youtu.be/ihUoRD4pYzI

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is there any chance to fight to “scrip the cap”?

Nearly half a million American women have lost ALL Social Security spousal or survivor benefits because of the Government Pension Offset.

scrap the cap?

not sleeping with the enemy but knowing your enemy.

Proof of David Milroy's comment:

https://bigthink.com/thinking/bonhoeffers-theory-stupidity-evil/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

The WEP and GPO need to be eliminated

Exactly, David! 👍🏼

I get the business journal as I agree you have to know the enemy. Elizabeth

Reacted to "The WEP and GPO need..." with 👍

Is it time for a drive to Bakersfield to have a conversation with Speaker McCarthy? A few thousand peaceful voices might help make the point.

This is the type of diverting the question from the GOP in the houseRep Cathy McMorris RodgersI do not support cuts to Medicare or Social Security for current beneficiaries or those nearing retirement. Individuals who access social security have paid into the program for their entire lives and have earned their benefits.More needs to be done to save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. A temporary band-aid that merely passes the burden to future generations will not suffice—we must put Social Security and Medicare on paths toward financial sustainability.

Question: Can you clarify the relationship (if any) between Social Security and the national debt and/or the federal deficit? And are there any graphics that can help us understand that?

Replying to "Is it time for a dri..."CARA Plans a march on 3/17

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Today: Former Vice President Mike Pence, a possible contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, said Thursday that he wants to “reform” Social Security and institute private savings accounts for recipients.

Reacted to "CARA Plans a march o..." with 👍🏻

Excellent question, Michael. Yes. That's what I keep hearing from THEM.

Replying to "Is it time for a dri..."https://tinyurl.com/Social-Security-by-Pence

when is Nancy altman going to be in california

That is the expansion that I am looking for.

I have a Civil Service pension and the Windfall Act cuts my benefits by at least $400.00 monthly. Is this going to be repealed?

And let state employees have short term disability!

if a change occurs re: WEP/GPO, do you think the (hopeful repeal) will affdct only those who haven't yet begun receiving Soc sec --so should I hold off starting Soc sec??????? I'm 67

Do you believe that this commission will recommend the same ideas that the old one headed up by Feinstein

if SS is cut, but folks are still being taxed for SS and Medicare, it looks like SS and Medicare might show a surplus. What does Congress think going to do with the potential excess?

Is the SS Trust Fund going to run out in several years? If so, is the fix to eliminate the cap on income that is subject to SS deductions from workers’ pay to fund it? Or what should we fight for?

Q: husband disabled vet..there are "rumors" they may force senior vets to to be disqualified for SS if they receive VA disability benefits. Two separate programs and promises. Do you know if this is true? How do we argue not cutting SS benefits for disabled vets (which could also be cut). linda_crickett@yahoo.com

Greeting to all from SD CAT

Thank you Nancy for your excellent comments. Would you please outline your reasons that SS is not broke, and excuses opponents are using to get rid of. By the way, McCarthy is my representative, but he doesn’t represent me. And I also lost SS because I worked many years before teaching and get very little, and my husband has put money into SS, which I wouldn’t get if he passed first, which would result in disaster for my budget.

@Art PersykoThere is no link between Social Security and the national debt, except, in the 1980’s, in an effort to hide the huge increase in the national debt cause by Reagan’s tax cuts for the wealthy, he got congress to “unify” the budget. SS was running a surplus, so that hid the deficit Reagan created. The deficit is created when Congress creates programs that are not paid for through taxes. The solution is NOT to get rid of the programs, but rather to force the wealthy to pay their share of taxes. Warren Buffet pays a smaller percentage of his income in taxes than his secretary does.

Hi to SD and everyone.

Do we pay anything for Part A or B if we are on Medicare? I realize we do pay for Part C or D

What is the update on REACHProgram

What is the one best source of written information on the two issues of FUNDING Social Security and Medicare (without undermining them and their benefits); and that includes what must be done now and in the future to keep those two programs financially viable and sound?

Where does Kaiser Senior Advantage rate on this chart?

Kaiser is a Medicare Advantage program, but is more like a national health service in other countries. Is Kaiser contributing to the problem of Medicare Advantage programs? In what ways?

Where does Kaiser Senior Advantage rate on this chart?

Kaiser is draining the medicare trust fund just as any other medicare advantage program. the DOJ is in the process of suing them for $1billion dollars for fraudulent claims. sounds like a lot, but its a drop in the bucket of the monies that Kaiser makes

What is the supposed "benefit" given to explain the 40% increase in fees?

It's inconceivable for Republican lawmakers to visualize ANY essential human service that is provided to American citizens without someone making a profit.

Is the transcript for this presentation, and the slides, available to us?

Can we get a copy of the slide show (from PNHP) that Kathryn Donohue presented to us?

That's my sign: END ACO REACH NOW

Could we get a copy of those slides to share with my DWK group and friends.

2030 is the date to completely privatize Medicare with either ACOREACH or Medicare Advantage

or any other permutation that would promote health carea as a profitable commodity

Yes, we will post the presentation to our website along with the recording.

Is AARP doing anything to lobby for keeping SS and Medicare truly safe, not the fake "saving" the programs of the Republicans?

Can’t Biden reverse Trump’s executive action an executive action of his own?

Just a correction, ACO REACH is a model under the CMS Innovation Center, which was created by the Accountable Care Act. So while there is no Congressional oversight, this model was created by law. It can be eliminated through executive action. President Biden can end this with a stroke of a pen.

*Affordable Care Act? Thanks for clarifying. I think the speaker was incorrect.

Biden should know better

Are there other members of CalRTA attending today and what are we doing about this?

Is Ana Malinow’s comment at 12:43 accurate? Nuances?

Why we should not vote for 3rd way Democrats

What (in addition to providing this great presentation) are PNHP, CARA and our allies doing to raise hell about ACO-REACH so that Americans who are unknowingly being dragged into ACO-REACH become aware of it; raise their voices to elected officials and candidates for office; threaten to vote against elected officials and candidates who don’t take effective action against this; so we are all eventually are protected from ACO-REACH?

Can you put the link to the slides in the chat?

Ana Malinow's comments are completely accurate.

We will be putting the slides and the recording today on our website at www.californiaalliance.org

Great Thanks

how do I raise my hand? Question: are the health care providers, incl. doctors supporting ACO Reach to increase their payments above the Medicare approved amounts? WHat is the benefit to doctors for joining ACO reach?

what is to prevent Kaiser and other HMOs from applying to become ACO Reach providers and take advantage of the lucrative 40% allowance for overhead and profit?

Deends how it is set

So another reason to support Medicare for All (aka single payer, guaranteed health care for all) is the elimination of ACO-REACH!

202-224-3121

ACOREACH private entities approach physicians with the promise of less paperwork, less prior authorizations and more money by assuming the responsibility of increasing profits for the companies. May sound good in the beginning but in the end the doctors will be compromised with decreased clinical decision making autonomy, with compromised financial security and greater potential for burn-out. The ACOREACH programs are not accountable to physicians or patients but only to their shareholders.

Here, in Tehachapi--within McCarthy's district, our club will create a phone/email drive to flood McCarthy--as his constituents--with messages. We will be posting it on our club member website .

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It's important to join with younger people on this, as they will be older and use medicare and social security. They need to know if

it's not just an old people's thing.

Who is introducing the resolution?

Happy to call my members of congress but I don’t have the agenda you mentions so I don't know what points to emphasize when some one answers. How do I get one?

Will this be a resolution or legislation?

will there be talking points on the ACO resolution?

Thank you, Alix. I just rechecked my email, and I don't have any agenda either . Please resend it!

Better yet: TERMINATE ACO REACH NOW

👍🏼

Resolution @ CT

Here’s the AGENDA with the mini-script. Click to download.

Thanks Karla!

We have 10 CARA supporters signed up already from Chico to go to Bakersfield.

Barely Speaker sold his soul

I don't think he has a soul...

Reacted to "I don't think he has..." with 😂

St Patrick's Day in Bakersfield? Yes!

Replying to "I don't think he has..."not anymore

No. He doesn't. I don't think any of them do. Nor does Manchin or Sinema.

https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-us-attorney-talbert-announce-nearly-26-million

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

He will hide under the desk

he always does, patricia lol

Last time they hid under their desks.

LOL!

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

Kevin is afraid of his own constituents

flyer

Already did! Thanks!

We can put post its with notes all over his office window

Tehachapi Mountain Dems posting your flyer on our website...we already have a list of volunteers/donation for materials

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

Great idea, Linda!

Link and Flyer 👆🏽

right.we're going to send members with monetary donations to CARA site with a link.

Unfortunately, this date conflicts with the CFT convention, so many folks who would like to participate (including me) will not be able to attend. Rats!

It doesn't take me to the location that it is suppse to

I have a nurse who is volunteering to take the day off to work the first aid booth on march 17

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

It conflicts with the CTA -Retired Conference too...but I think this is more important.

If I already RSVP'd to attend via e-mail, do I need to fill out the form?

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

We are bringing interns

AFSCME is wearing its Irish Green

nice, karen

Thank you for hosting this informative Friday webinar, always a learning experience.

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https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

We may have friends who live near one of the (other from our own pick up location for the) March 17 bus trip pick up locations. We can invite our friends! And have a reunion with them in Bakersfield!! (Spread the word).

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

Donate here to help cover bus costs: https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/specialwebapp.vps?appid=eb2b05f1f0f40d1edeea4d27259defa4c95dc6cebafe577f90d5b973bb16107e5a10fdfb7f0fb15e86e6cf19f7a0045aa72687655c8f0cb029ae97bf9b5df86e

we're "in district" in kern...no buses here, but 50 mi from Bakersfield, so we are organizing car pools and volunteer drivers from Tehachapi greater area.

My mic is now working

IS THERE ANY BUS FROM THE INLAND EMPIRE

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

Sending physical hard copy letter - you should because the staff actually reads them and sometimes the recipient too, because a real letter is "better" than a form call or e-mail.

Thanks Bill. I just donated $50 towards the bus from Sacramento.

Nope

I donated too! Just before posting the link.

Are you encouraging car pools, discouraging car pools, or neutral on that? If the buses fill up, that could be a helpful option (to add more participants) if any of us are willing to drive and car pool (for whatever reason).

Not true. I know someone that has Kaiser ahd does NOT have Sehior Advantage. They only have Parts A and B

And for Kaiser retirees, currently. there are no other options.

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

I know someone who is blind and said he would need me (or someone else) to go with him to make it possible for him to take the bus. IS

CARA going to keep a list of those who are willing to be matched up with people who have disabilities who need someone to team up with them on the bus?

Great forum, very informative, thank you CARA. I have to leave now.

I assume we should make / bring SIGNS?

I understand there will be sign making stations

Tehachapi mt. dems will donate some sign making materials

from LA to Bakes? 2.5 to 4 hours one way (depending on traffic)

I too must leave; excellent forum and Bakerfield here I come..Elizabeth

THANK YOU FRIENDS FOR JOIN US TODAY! ❤️

The donate button is going back to the bus sign up form. How do we get to the donate to this event link. Thank you.

https://bit.ly/BakersfieldBus2023

Tehachapi mt. dem club has some volunteer drivers..and will be bringing some tables and chairs

We're all in here in Tehachapi on this..we can't stand McCarthy and have a LOT of seniors!

So many wonderful people on this call! This is a wonderful informational forum. Thank you!

Are we making signs with our CATs or doing therm individually?

We have a Photographer in Tehachapi (near Bakersfield) volunteering

If we have progressive political YouTubers on Patreon (with $100K to 1,000K subscribers) , can I reach out to them so they can report on the event- maybe even using video we take (especially if McCarthy refuses to see us)?

Take videos on your phones and send to CARA

Great presentation! Looking forward to March 17th!

Keep your hands off of our S.S. & Medicare

thank you CARA for all the wonderful organizing you're doing all year and many years tocome

Thank you for a great presentation and for planning the event in Bakersfield on March 17th!!

Thank you, CARA and Social Works, for getting this important work together !

Great meeting! Hope to see everyone in Bakersfield!

I know a number of people locally who are interested in joining us for this, and THIS might get them involved in CARA! So yes, we need to push this out there...!!!

Lyrics to Hali’s wonderful songs are shared here 👆🏽

Good voice Hali Hammer

Making me smile :)

I'll probably drive in my car - please post the address of McCarthy's office so I will know where to go.

PLEASE …send us lyrics! Great!

GREAT! The revolution will be sung!

Great Ethel

Thank you CARA!