Democrats say drug discount card an "embarrassment"

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02222334.htm

WASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) - Democrats lambasted the new Medicare drug discount card on Wednesday, saying that the small enrollment shows that the program is confusing and the benefits meager.

"Seniors have overwhelmingly rejected the drug discount card. ... This is a huge embarrassment to the administration," said Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

Months after it was enacted, the Medicare law remains controversial in this election year.

Republicans say they have delivered on a promise to help senior citizens afford their medicines. Democrats say the new law is a sham, doing more to bolster drug manufacturers and health insurers than the frail and elderly.

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[trogdor]

1. I've been saying it since its inception...

...Bush got this dumbass idea from late night cable TV. Next thing you know, some fly-by-night insurance company in Valley Forge, PA, will be handling Social Security.

[Malva Zebrina]

2. *I don't think that seniors are bewildered and confused as this implies

I think they know, after having lived a lifetime comparing prices, a scam when they see one.

Embarrassed? I hope so. They should be.

I hope that Olympia Snore is embarrassed. She got up on the floor of the Senate with all those displays on the easel to tell us all how wonderful this Republican initiative re Meicare prescription drugs is.

Well, two days later, after she was photographed all over Maine visiting the feeble and possibly confused seniors who were so worried or besides themselves wondering how to pay for medicine, Bush announced that --err we forgot to include this and that and so therefore the cost of all of this will be a billion or so more than we said.

not to mention the arm twisting that went on by the Bush boys in the House and the cheap way it was also done.

Did Olympia hide her head in shame? As usual she played the conservative game and hid her head away from all questions. She needs to retire. She is simply and has simply been there for three years supporting this idiot who has ruined our country.

Snowe has served her terms. She has NOT stood out in protest to what an evil man of her party has done to this party and this country and to this state. She has survived in the beltway by sidestepping and Collins follows in lockstep

[AlCzervik]

3. There is hope!

at least 40.5 million people know this plan is total bushit.

[El Supremo]

4. I blame Novelli

The AARP CEO. Without his backing this joke would have never been passed.

I keep getting propaganda from AARP saying that they wanted something, anything passed for immediate help. And I wish I had never sent any money to their Grassroots campaign. They keep talking about more legislation, but they got what they wanted - protection for their royalties in their own insurance.

[Justitia]

9. BINGO! It never would have passed w/out him.

He is a Bush whore supreme.

Didn't he write the foreword on Gingrich's book too?

I know he makes loads of $$$ on his interests in ins companies.
Ins companies benefit from this sham legislation.

Co-inky Dink?

[crossroads]

10. Yep, the AARP was in bed with the drug makers the whole time!

Now they are trying to cover their a$$e$(t$) trying to sound like they are for getting drugs legalized for sale here from Canada! That is total BS, they got what they wanted all along! The only reason they are backpedaling is because so many of the AARP members got angry with them and tore up their membership cards. :eyes:
:mad: :kick:

[happynewyear]

11. how to get even with the AARP

Call them up and tell them you have a life insurance policy with them and that you are halting payments as of this second. They haven't a clue. They'll only believe they are losing more $.

How I loathe the AARP!!!! :P again!

[papau]

12. AARP sold 400 cards to date!

Guess they are happy with the commission!

37 million mailing list - and 400 cards!

:-)

[happynewyear]

5. I got the notice re: these cards

and I also got a letter prior to that from my health insurance company telling me that it was not in their nor my best interest to obtain one of these cards. In fact, they recommended against and they are a BIG retirement company.

No one is going for this scam and yes, they should be embarrassed. In fact, they should go on trial for fraud and perjury and embezzlement and on and on and on and on .... :grr:

[Kinkistyle]

6. Maybe they shouldn't have voted for it?

I dunno, maybe its just me, but maybe the Democrats shouldn't have voted it into law if its so embarrassing...

[happynewyear]

7. thats cause too many of them were shilling for the GOP

including Dianne Frankenstein ... :grr:

WE WILL NOT FORGET!

:dem: :kick:

[crossroads]

8. Why can't this *bad* law be repealed?

No one but those politicians who have been bought, the HMOs and drug manufactures seem to want this farce of a benefit!! It makes me mad that the people we should be protecting are the ones who are being hurt and deprived by this insane law. I am outraged that Breaux who is a La. Dem. was one of the ones who worked in cahoots with this thing! He is retiring, I guess he can afford to now (since it appears he was bought off).
:mad:

Give me a break! The $600 free benefit will be eaten up in a couple of months of Rx for the average Blood Pressure pill that the majority of seniors take. Anybody price those things lately? My mom takes a cholesterol drug and they run over $200 per mo. Her drug bill is I/2 of her SS benefit.
:mad:

[JohnOneillsMemory]

13. These confusing shell game cards are ANOTHER BUTTERFLY BALLOT.

Hiding information in a bullshit format that no one can figure out.

Oh yeah, I have a friend who voted in Florida on an infamous 'butterfly' ballot. She couldn't figure it out. She's a computer programmer. Sheesh.

[stevedeshazer]

14. Let's give credit where it's due

These eleven Democrats voted for it:

Baucus, MT
Breaux, LA
Carper, DE
Conrad, ND
Dorgan, ND
Feinstein, CA
Landrieu, LA
Lincoln, AR
Miller, GA (okay, it's Zell, no surprise)
Nelson, NE
Wyden, OR

The bill was passed 54-44. Kerry and Lieberman did not vote.

Hard to blame this entirely on the Repubs. Nine voted against, as did the independent Jeffords of VT.

These nine Repubs voted against it:

Chafee, RI
Ensign, NV
Graham, SC
Gregg, NH
Hagel, NE
Lott, MS
McCain, AZ
Nickles, OK
Sununu, NH

This is a bipartisan screw job on seniors.