I attended the
Sherrod Brown press conference calling for affordable and simple Medicare prescription benefits. It was at Ernest J. Bohn Center in downtown Cleveland. So, pretty easy for me to zip down, even with my 3 month old in tow. There were alot of Sherrod supporters there and Sherrod personally greeted them as they entered the center. Many of them were seniors concerned about the changes to Medicare coming to voice their support of Congressman Browns plan.
Jeff Coryell was there too. We chatted a bit before the event and he remarked that the Chamber of Commerce (ProDeWine) ad is really a great opportunity because it is an ad supporting DeWine and the Republicans changes to Medicare that is produced by a business association and not the AARP. While I would prefer it didn't exist at all - Jeff is right the ad should be looked at as an opportunity. If only because, the current Medicare plan does not have the best interest of the seniors at heart, it covers them basically until they get sick. With that in mind, it is important to note that DeWine has taken close to $300,000 in contributions from the drug and insurance industry. So perhaps, we will get to see a rebutal ad that takes DeWine to court for his alliegience to big business instead of aging Ohioans. I suspect the ad will say something like this
"As seniors fall into the doughnut hole and drug prices rise, special interests thank DeWine for Part D disaster"
The facts are that the wholesale price of brand name prescription drugs has increased 3.6% since the Part D plans have taken effect. For seniors in the doughnut hole, drug costs have skyrocketed. The average senior will hit the doughnut hole on September 22.
"Instead of a drug plan that provides windfall profits for drug companies, we must pass a simple, affordable benefit that promises savings for seniors," stated Brown. "We should require that Medicare negotiate with the drug companies for lower prices, like the VA does. Mike DeWine put the wishes of the drug companies before the needs of Ohio seniors. We must change the leadership in Washington so that we can pass a universal, low-cost drug benefit."
After Browns speech, Seniors came to the podium to talk about thier hardships with the Medicare plan. It was moving - one widow talked about the difficulties caring for her ailing husband.
John Celebrezze candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives (18th District) also spoke. He talked about his uncle Anthony Celebrezze whose served as the United States Secretary for Health, Education, and Welfare under Kennedy and felt that his most important work was creating Medicare, and providing elderly Americans with government-supported health insurance. He also thanked Congressman Brown for his work fighting for seniors health benefits.
About this time, my 3 month old started to get finicky so I snuck out the door. I think that was pretty much the end though. It was a nice event and it was nice to finally meet Congressman Brown. I think his ideas about Medicare are right on and I am glad he is pointing out the absurdity of a pro-business special interest group running ads supporting DeWine on Medicare. The seniors support Congressman Sherrod Browns Medicare Plans and they are the ones who should count when it comes to Medicare, not big business.
CrossPosted at AsOhioGoes.com