As the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, drags on, AFSCME retirees are taking action. They are urging their lawmakers to end the shutdown by lowering health care costs and funding public services.
At a tele-town hall last week, AFSCME Retirees Chapter 52 member Dawn Bundick spoke about the urgency of the moment. If Congress allows the Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire at the end of 2025, as they will thanks to the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” health care costs will increase for everyone and access to health care will diminish.
“This shutdown and the looming health care crisis are going to hurt our communities — especially seniors,” she said. “Here in Alaska, if the Affordable Care Act tax credits are not extended, more than 22,000 Alaskans will face huge premium spikes of more than 114%.”
Bundick, of Anchorage, kept her community safe for 43 years as an investigator for professional licensing. For 10 years, she also served as the president of the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA/AFSCME Local 52).
Earlier this month, she came to Washington, D.C., with more than 100 other AFSCME retirees from around the country to participate in a council meeting and lobby day. Retirees met with Senate and Congressional leaders to urge them to end this shut down, lower health care costs, protect federal workers and fund public services.
“None of us can do this alone … and that’s why I’m asking you to take a minute of your time now to call your senator’s office and tell them to end this shut down,” Bundick said at the tele-town hall. “Like me, you served your community, and you didn’t stop fighting for what’s right just because you retired. Please take a minute to make your voice heard.”
AFSCME President Lee Saunders also spoke at the virtual event, urging retirees to persevere.
“Instead of putting retirees and working families first, the administration and its yes men and women in Congress have forced a government shutdown that is threatening our health, workers’ jobs and essential public services,” he said.
The shutdown is also delaying the release of key government data, including the announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for tens of millions of beneficiaries. The Social Security COLA is made each year based on inflation, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), an official government measure of inflation, has also been delayed.
The tele-town hall also featured former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, of Ohio. Brown has been a tireless advocate of working families and retirees.
AFSCME launched the Get Organized campaign, or AFSCME GO, to fight back against the Trump administration and its billionaire backers. The campaign is all about stopping attacks on public services, retirement security, and vital programs including Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
“Already, AFSCME retirees are powering the campaign,” Saunders also said. “You all know how to get results. You are our most passionate activists, and that’s why I’m counting on you again to be the tip of the spear.”