Seniors rail against Medicare prescription drug plan

[TacticalPeek]

Seniors rail against Medicare prescription drug plan
By JENNETTE BARNES, Standard-Times staff writer


DARTMOUTH -- The new Medicare drug discounts are a fraud, senior citizens alleged yesterday at a forum in Dartmouth.

Recent mailings and television advertisements have touted discounts that start June 1 for seniors' prescription drugs. But some organizations are blasting the change. They say the benefits will decrease over time, and the new law is more about eroding Medicare as a whole than offering a drug benefit.

"It's nothing but a scam," said Ed Peters of Fall River, president of the Bristol County chapter of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council. Mr. Peters introduced U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, whose district includes Dartmouth and Westport. He, too, called for a repeal of the law.

"This is the best bill that money could buy for the pharmaceutical industry. They bought this bill," he said. "This is shameful, and all those who supported it should be ashamed of themselves, including the leadership of AARP."

more
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/03-04/03-27-04/a01lo685.htm

[countmyvote4real]

1. You go, gray panthers. I'm not that far behind, if I live that long.

[The Zanti Regent]

2. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Next year, Medicare Part B Premiums are estimated to rise by 11%.

Just wait for those who sign up for Part "D" (the Pill Bill) and they add another $35 to the Medicare premium deducted from a senior's Social Security check, that will push the Medicare total over $100 from a Social Security Check.

Remember how angry seniors got over the 1988 Catastrophic Amendments? When tehy see $100+ going out of their Social Security check and their Rx bills go over $2,250 and Medicare D pays NOTHING for their medicines, the real stuff gonna hit the fan!

[demdave]

3. How can AARP weather this? They are quite a political force.

What is the final picture?

[The Zanti Regent]

4. Millions will leave AARP for ARA

http://www.retiredamericans.org/

the organization that REALLY protects Seniors, instead of the phony Always Advancing Repulican Principles!

[saigon68]

5. AARP is an insurance co. invention

To sell worthless insurance to the most frail and needy in the U.S.

[Paradise]

7. Well put! n/t

[zanana]

6. Just visited the ARA website...

I'm going to join.

[Neecy]

8. AARP claims....

...that they've only lost 60,000 members over their support of the bill. I find that completely unbelievable, especially if you read their message board (which I have - the outrage is something to behold).

[reprobate]

10. I've heard they lost 300K. We dropped out after the bill passed.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Thanks...appreciate the link. I dropped AARP months ago.

[revcarol]

11. AARP really thinks we are a bunch of dummies.

They have a glitzy ad out saying: we realize this bill isn't perfect and we can do more,:spank:

BTW, my late husband had an AARP Medicare supplement plan that covered 100% of every medical bill after the first $100. NO meds, but otherwise SUPER.So, as I am getting close to 65, I enquired about this plan. "We no longer sell this plan."

Edit: we already get 10% senior discount at the local pharmacy, on generics too.

And there is NO HMO that serves rural areas.