Joined By Rep. Sabo, Franni Franken Shares Her Social Security Story At Roundtable
Posted in Uncategorized on September 17th, 2008
JOINED BY REP. SABO, FRANNI FRANKEN SHARES HER SOCIAL SECURITY STORY AT ROUNDTABLE
Pledges That Al Will Defend Social Security For Minnesotans
Saint Paul [09/17/08] – At a roundtable with Minnesota seniors today, Franni Franken, wife of DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken, shared her family’s Social Security story and promised that when her husband is elected, he’ll protect the program from Norm Coleman’s attempts to privatize it.
Joined by Rep. Martin Olav Sabo, Franni talked about her father’s death and her family’s reliance on Social Security survivor benefits.
Franni Franken:
“My family made it because of Social Security – and people all over Minnesota are counting on it, as well. I know that Al will always protect this important program so that other families can benefit from Social Security.”
Rep. Martin Olav Sabo:
“The current turmoil in the national financial markets is a strong reminder to everyone of the importance of Social Security as a guaranteed benefit that is guaranteed for a lifetime – and of the importance of electing someone like Al Franken, who is a strong supporter of protecting Social Security as a guaranteed benefit.”
Franni Franken’s father died when she was 17 months old, widowing her mother at age 29 with five kids. Their family made it through thanks to Social Security Survivor benefits, and all five kids grew up to become productive members of society.
Last week, Al Franken announced a new campaign to organize Minnesota seniors, unveiling a five-point agenda on senior issues:
1. An Iron-Clad Commitment To Social Security
– Franken will oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, period.
2. Tax Credits For Caregivers
– Franken will create a $2,000 Caregiver Credit for any individual with substantial long-term care needs or to his or her caregivers. This amount covers more than a third of the average costs to caregivers. The credit will not require families to engage in any complicated accounting of their out-of-pocket costs. It will be phased out for families earning more than $150,000. This new credit would help more than 100,000 Minnesota residents and families.
– Franken will create a $1,200-per-employee Family Flexibility Credit for businesses providing family-friendly benefits, such as child care assistance or the opportunity to telecommute. The credit could also be applied to offset expenses incurred by company policies that help families address the long-term care needs of aging loved ones.
3. Help Seniors Afford The Medications Their Doctors Prescribe
– Franken will repeal the law preventing Medicare from negotiating drug costs with drug makers and empower the government to use its size to get a better deal for seniors, with safeguards to preserve access. He will give Medicare beneficiaries the choice to pick a public plan for their prescription drugs.
– Franken would support the safe reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada, which could save consumers $50 billion over 10 years. As a border state, Minnesota could see significant economic benefits as well.
4. Double Funding For The National Health Service Corps
– Franken will increase funding for NHSC to expand upon the 600 facilities currently funded so that more can hire the necessary health care professionals who serve as primary care providers for many Minnesotans.
5. More Options For Long Term Care
– Franken will require reimbursement for long-term care in any location that a patient’s physician determines to be most effective. This would include adult care, senior housing, assisted living, nursing home care, continuing-care retirement communities, and home care.
Full details of the policy are available at http://www.alfranken.com/seniors.
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