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Senior Citizens Have Lots of Questions About Medicare Part D

Posted on: Thursday, 20 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Wally Spiers, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.

Apr. 20--BELLEVILLE -- There was no escaping the subject of Medicare Part D on Wednesday at the LINC Inc. Legislative Forum.

About 20 people came to the Programs and Services for Older Persons building to ask questions of a panel of representatives for local legislators.

Frank Miles was there for U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville; Rodney Davis stood in for U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville; and Betty Hamilton was there for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Questioners launched right into Part D, the government's drug plan for Medicare, with one woman wondering why it cost her more than her previous drug insurance plan and why there was a penalty for signing up late.

"I'm sure it's confusing," Hamilton said. "It's a difficult thing to address. I'm sure Congress will address the penalty issue."

There was various other subjects raised -- a request for some sort of an alert system for when elderly people are missing, a complaint about government paperwork and some remarks that the country wasn't training enough geriatrics specialists for all the older people that are coming through the pipeline.

Bill Cummins of the Senior Companion Program noted that the program that helps keep people out of nursing homes can't get enough funds.

He said it saved money and lack of government support didn't make much sense.

"You're actually assuming government is rational?" Davis said, drawing laughs.

He said getting more money for something like home and community support care is like turning a large oil tanker. It takes a lot of time and effort before you see any results.

Plus, "It won't happen without a fight from the other side," Davis said.

After much discussion of some individual medical nightmares, Ruth Waeltz of the Area Agency on Aging Southwestern Illinois, bewailed the upcoming loss of money to help people understand Medicare Part D.

She noted the agency also supports the re-authorization of the Older Americans Act, strengthening and protecting Social Security and promoting elder justice and protection against elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Some of the people with medical problems were referred to the Senior Health Insurance Program volunteer representative at PSOP. The volunteers can answer questions and untangle problems.

Then there was more discussion on Part D.

"Don't give up on this program in its infancy," Davis said, adding that there probably would be changes to make it easier and more accommodating. "Give it a chance to succeed."

All the panelists said the best way to contact legislative representatives immediately was to call. E-mails, faxes and letters also work.

Contact reporter Wally Spiers at wspiers@bnd.com or 239-2506.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.)

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