MEDIA  ADVISORY

Outraged Seniors to Hold Demonstration Outside Massachusetts Hospital Association’s Boston Offices Today To Protest MHA’s Lobbying for Extending Eligibility for Medicare

The Hospital Industry Wants to Shift the Cost of Care onto the Elderly by Convincing Congress to Raise Medicare Eligibility from Age 65 – 67

Members of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC), along with other health care and consumer advocates, will hold a demonstration today at 3 p.m. outside the Boston offices of the Massachusetts Hospital Association to protest the industry’s recently announced campaign to push Congress to raise the age for Medicare eligibility from age 65 to 67.  The industry is seeking the change to boost their profits by shifting the health care cost burden onto the elderly in Massachusetts, who are already struggling to maintain their health and well being under the current system.  The MSAC has called for the demonstration after being flooded with calls and emails from angry elders and their family members who are outraged by efforts to decrease access to health care for the state’s most vulnerable residents. The organization is launching its own stepped up effort to lobby Senator Kerry and other members of Congress to oppose this draconian measure.

When: Oct. 13, 2011 at 3 p.m.
Where: 101 Arch Street, Boston, the demonstration will be held on the sidewalk outside the building housing the lobbying offices for the Massachusetts Hospital Association
Who: Dozens of seniors will be on hand, as well as representatives from other activists organizations, including the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Massachusetts Home Care Association, Latino Elders for a Secure Retirement, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association