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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2013)
AFL-CIO, retirees’ group view SS, Medicare reports favorably WASHINGTON, D.C. — The So- cial Security and Medicare trustees is- sued their annual reports May 31 on the state of the two programs’ fi- nances. Social Security, according to its trustees, has a $2.7 trillion surplus, enough to fully meet the demands of a growing retiree cohort through 2033 —the same as last year. With no ac- tion from Congress, it would cover most benefits through 2087. The trustees’ report for Medicare noted that its trust fund, which covers hospital care, can fully pay benefits through 2026 — two years later than forecast last year. The Medicare trustees’ report shows reduced cost growth; this is further proof in many experts’ eyes that health care reform is working for seniors, said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Al- liance for Retired Americans Execu- tive Director Edward Coyle. The two organizations issued a joint statement about the reports. Their statement reads: “The most important message from the 2013 Social Security Trustees Re- port is that our Social Security system continues to work for the American people. After years of economic crisis for working families, Social Security is in better shape and more depend- able than 401(k)s, private pensions, or any other public or private program. We must call out those who will try to misuse today’s report as political cover for unwarranted and ill-advised benefit cuts, like switching to the ‘chained CPI’ to calculate Social Se- curity’s annual cost-of-living-increase (COLA). “The truth is that at a time when America’s retirement income deficit is estimated to be an astounding $6.6 trillion because too many people have nothing or too little in pensions or savings, we cannot afford to cut So- cial Security’s modest benefits in any way whatsoever, including how it keeps pace with inflation through its annual COLA. “The report reaffirms that, without any changes, Social Security can pay full benefits until 2033 and three- quarters of benefits after that, un- changed from last year’s report. “Social Security provides a critical base of financial security and dignity for Americans in retirement or unable to work due to disability or when a working parent dies and is survived by young children. Going forward, strong economic growth broadly shared will serve to strengthen the program further. “While much might be made of the projected shortfall in the disability trust fund, there is a simple step that should be taken to address any short- run concerns. As it has done 11 times before, Congress should reallocate the income across the two funds. “The good news from (the) Medicare Trustees report, extending the life of the Hospital Insurance trust fund by another two years to 2026, re- minds us that we do not have a EE R F BARGAIN COUNTER Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Now accepting e-mails Send to: Michael492@comcast.net Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 (Please include union affiliation) • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • All lower case (NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE) • Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published A UTOMOTIVE gMc s-15, 4x4, pickup, 4.3 l engine, good tires, canopy, 176k miles, email for pictures bugtime@gmail.com. 503-680-7896 (tim) ’84 hurst/olds, original owner, clean ti- tle, newer interior and tires, drives and runs good, $2,500. 503-695-6400. H OUSING rockaway beach rental, 3 bed, 2 bath, sleeps 10, Jacuzzi, 5 min to beach/shops. vacationhomerentals.com/43026 lIncoln cIty vacation rental, 3 bdrm, 2 bath. sleeps 8, wi-fi, 2 blks from beach, 3 blks from casino. 503-653-2069 rockaway ocean front, 503-777-5076, 5 bdrms/2 ba, huge home on the beach! http://rockawaybeachfrontrental.com central oregon, pine hollow, 3 bed, 2 bath, on private airstrip, partial lake view, $287,000. 541-544-2288 two 200 acre lots, $750 per acre, terms. 1-541-468-2961 spray, oregon. nehaleM rIverfront recreation lot, 40’ x 20’ w/1999 30’ 5th wheel, boat dock, covered deck, more, $65k. 503-303-4227 Sporting Goods Expires 06/30/2013 PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS Medicare problem. We have a health care cost problem. Recent reforms have helped strengthen Medicare and appear to have contributed to a signifi- cant slowing of health costs overall in the short run. If we are to succeed in the long run, however, we need to continue taking steps to make health care more affordable and the health care system more cost effective, and reject proposals to cut benefits or shift costs to individuals.” .45 cal sIg sauer p220 elite like new, 4 magazines, excellent shooter! $1,025 cash. 360-750-1739 32’ holIday raMbler trailer with large slide, clean and in good working order, $8,000 obo. 503-888-1019 olyMpIc arMs ar-15, shot very little, 2 magazines, $1,000; bryco 380 auto, good condition, $200 obo 503-665-9803 1995 kIt coMpanIon, 30 feet, 5th wheel, large slideout, ac, $5,000. 503- 625-6538 1997 kawasakI Jet ski, 1100 stX w/trailer, low hours, $1,500. 503-459-9966 1999 alpenlIte 5th wheel, 2 slides , lots of upgrades, great shape, $10,000 must sell. 503-557-6413 or 503-367-9972 W ANTED old woodworkIng tools, planes, lev- els, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, tool chests. 503-659-0009 Motorcycles, quads, boats, tractors, rvs, trailers, bicycles, autos, lawnmowers, cash paid will pick up 503-880-8183 u.s., gerMan, Japanese military items, uniforms, aviation, hats, helmets, swords, daggers, bayonets, rifles, pistols. 503-852- 6791 buyIng us & world coins to add to col- lection, paying fairly, any amount welcome. 503-939-8835 collector, cash paid, old fishing tackle, wood plugs, reels, creels, salmon fishing photos, etc. 503-775-4166 collector pays cash for older toys, oil paintings, american art pottery, and cos- tume jewelry. 503 703-5952 haM radIo & short wave radio equip, (no cbs), including older 1950s/60s/70s equipment w/tubes. 503-823-4577 retIree seeks use of small travel or tent trailer; cash/barter/trade old revolver. 503-699-5802 M ISCELLANEOUS akc brIttanny pups, shots, wormed, 1 female, $500; 2 males, $450. 503-769- 6160 or 503-983-4656 corner garden tub, all parts, in- cluding surround, white, want half of what it would cost new. 503-637-5361 John deere riding mower, 30”, engine in rear, model gX75, $450. 503-761-1133 honda generator, 1500 watt, $100. 503-254-8948 Metal lathe, 13x40 harrison, 3 & 4 saws, tool post, steady rest, 6 pos turret, more, $1,500. 503-655-6685 F OR T HE H OME fIne chIna, crown Ming royal palm, 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 soup bowls, 1 vegetable platter, $75. 503 522- 6542 JUNE 7, 2013
