Sen. Kerry editorial: Lowell Sun 1/25/06

[TayTay]

You know you've been way too busy when you can't get time to post stuff like this:

Fix Medicare prescription drug law
The Lowell Sun

Senator John F. Kerry sig

Two years ago, President Bush signed the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit into law amid much hype and fanfare. But now the only cheers are from the special interests. Insurance and pharmaceutical companies are thrilled with their profits, but Massachusetts seniors now attempting to fill their prescriptions are finding nothing more than broken promises.

Seniors know a bad deal when they see it. That's why Massachusetts seniors and Democrats in Congress joined together to oppose this fatally flawed proposal when it was first introduced on Capitol Hill. Now, we're reminded that this Bush boondoggle is an even bigger real-life nightmare for seniors than we ever could have imagined. The time has come to renew our efforts to go back to the drawing board, fix this legislation and deliver real relief to seniors.

Medicare was enacted 40 years ago as a promise to the American people that, in exchange for their years of hard work and service to our country, their health care would be guaranteed in their golden years. America's seniors deserve a comprehensive and affordable health-care system -- and that includes a guaranteed, simple and affordable prescription-drug benefit. The Bush prescription-drug plan fails to meet that standard. In fact, the Medicare prescription-drug law does more harm than good. Massachusetts seniors can attest to that.

Seniors were first subjected to the dizzying task of choosing a plan among a slew of competing programs. Yet among the countless pages of confusing information, seniors could not find out the one thing they really wanted to know: Would their drugs be covered under this plan? I know accomplished health professionals who were unable to help their parents navigate the maze of paperwork and regulations.

more at: http://www.lowellsun.com/editorials/ci_3439984

Sorry abut this folks: I've been busy. I was at a Kennedy re-election thing today.

[karynnj]

1. Nice editorial

It seems that Kerry's time on his flights must have been used productively. How was the Kennedy event?

[Island Blue]

2. Thanks for posting

He spells out the problems very simply and well. Even a Republican could understand this. Naw, what was I thinking.

[globalvillage]

3. He's amazing.

:applause:


That calls for a film.

http://globalvillage.neptune.com

password thkfan

album videoblog

[Island Blue]

5. Bravo!

Pass the popcorn! :popcorn: Did you end up posting this on that Google site too?

BTW GV, I posted a few of my DC photos on my site.

[globalvillage]

7. Not yet, but...

I'm working on something new and fabulous. Stay tuned.
I have a very small amount of skill, but a whole lot of pride in my work.
:rofl:

[ProSense]

6. That was absolutely beautiful GV. Thank you.

I don't know why I crying like a baby. :cry:

[ProSense]

4. I was thinking about this today.

I was! Seriously, I thought about the Medicare crisis and the Hamas win today because I found it curious (for lack of a better word) that with so many pressing problems and the Republican spinning victory on Alito, Bush would spend his radio adress pushing Alito. Just goes to show where the man's head is and that partisanship (given also how divisive this nominee is) is more important than running the country or being a leader.

[rox63]

8. I have spent hours on the phone this week

trying to resolve my mom's Medicare prescription coverage problems. I thought it was resolved as of Wednesday evening. But I took her to pick up a prescription this morning, and we are back to square one again. They are still overcharging her. Even though the Medicare people on the phone say she qualifies for the lower copay, they can't get it to come up that way on the computer at the pharmacy.

This program is a major clusterf*ck. :grr: