We've had a lot of diaries recently about the mess that is Medicare Part D. Some have compared the confusion surrounding its implementation to the massive screwups by FEMA after Katrina. It is predicted that some will die or suffer harm due to not being able to get medications that were previously paid for.
Obviously, this plan needs to be fixed, but that's going to take time. And while we're working on that, there are things you can do to help right now.
One of the problems with this plan is that to make an informed selection between the myriad of drug plans requires computer access and internet skills. Many seniors just aren't able to do this, either because they don't have a computer, or because they just have never learned how to navigate the web. Pretty much everyone reading Daily Kos has the necessary skills to do this work, and many local senior service agencies are actively seeking out volunteers to help.
When I first wrote about how I was volunteering to do this work, I got a little bit of criticism by people saying why should we help - let's let this plan fall apart on its own. Well, I think the reason is obvious... if we don't help, people will suffer and die. Did anyone say, let's not rescue the Katrina survivors from their rooftops, so more people would die to make the administration look bad? Of course not!
And let me tell you, after you've spent an hour or so helping someone working through the complexities of the plan, they still aren't feeling particularly friendly to the current administration.
The way I found my volunteer opportunity was through a website called volunteermatch.org. Go to Advanced Search, type in your zipcode and the distance you're willing to travel, and the keyword "Medicare". You'll get a list of organizations looking for Medicare volunteers. Click on "I want to help", and you'll get email putting you in touch with the organizations.
If that doesn't work, just look in your local phonebook for senior centers, give them a call and they can probably tell you what organization is doing this work in your local area.
This is a way that people with computer skills can really make a difference.