On Thursday, the Alliance for Retired Americans declared its support for Hillary Clinton in her bid for president of the United States. The announcement noted Clinton's public support of Medicare and Social Security as primary motivating factors behind the ARA endorsement.
Robert Roach Jr., the president of the Washington, D.C.-based organization of retired union members, praised the former senator's record and commitment to senior citizens. "Hillary Clinton has been a champion for retirees throughout her distinguished career," he says.
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During her campaign, Clinton has pledged to extend the benefits available through Social Security. Her plan would raise the funds allocated to wives and husbands of the recently deceased, as well as heads of households whose responsibilities for ill family members have restricted their opportunities for employment.
Clinton has also been a vocal proponent of regulating the costs of medical treatment for seniors. She's recently introduced a proposal that would drive down patient expenses by empowering federal Medicare officials to arrange fair pricing from pharmaceutical firms.
According to Roach, the candidate will "work to rein in the uncontrolled prices of prescription drugs which are far outpacing the rate of inflation and forcing too many retirees to choose between food and medicine."
Founded in 1961 as the National Council of Senior Citizens, the Alliance for Retired Americans reports a national membership of more than four million. The nonpartisan group was initially an outgrowth of he AFL-CIO trade union federation, which has also given its support to the probable Democratic nominee.
Although both Clinton and Donald Trump have proclaimed the importance of safeguarding Social Security protections, the candidates have expressed differences of opinion regarding the most effective methods of maintaining funding.
Trump, her likely Republican challenger in the upcoming election, has been somewhat vague when elaborating specific policies pertaining to Social Security within his public remarks. Aside from emphasizing the importance of economic growth, he has promised only to maintain the status quo while asserting his objection to additional assistance.
Conversely, Clinton has acknowledged the potential necessity of increasing the cap on taxable Social Security income in order to address the program's looming fiscal straits. Her campaign has also consistently opposed any cutbacks of benefits, reduction of access, or moves toward privatization.
"Her life's work exemplifies the alliance's mission to enhance the quality of life for all Americans," says Roach. "No one has ever been more ready to provide seniors with what they need."
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