Last night I went out to a rally/commercial filming for Patricia Madrid. It was a good sized crowd for a rainy Friday evening. Mostly older people, but some middle agers like me, some young parents with their kids, racially diverse, a good crowd in good spirits despite the weather.
As we all huddled under the eaves of a downtown building we all discussed our diverse motives for being out there. And one story stands out in particular for me.
One lady and I were were thrown together as we departed for the filming site accross the street from our shelter. She was an older lady, but very stylish in brightly checked summery pants and carrying a beautiful bag that her mother had embroidered with bright flowers. She is a regular volunteer at the campaign and is an enthusiastic supporter of Patsy. As most of my older relatives have sadly passed, her story was my own first encounter with the kind of stories I'm sure that we're all about to become very familiar with: the Great Medicare Part D Swindle.
She signed up for a plan through AARP. Of all the programs you'd think that one would be best looking out for seniors, right? Well if AARP are seniors best friends I'd hate to meet their enemies. This lady is paying $25.00 a month for her prescription drug coverage. Thinks she's covered. So she goes to the drugstore to fill a prescription for 30 Lipitor pills, and is told that her co-pay will be $130.00.
Naturally she is shocked. She asks the pharmacist would cost retail. He talls her that the retail cost for 30 Lipitor is $130.00.
So this stylish older lady says to me that she is cancelling her prescription drug coverage. Because she is not going to pay $25.00 a month for the "honor of getting screwed." And let me tell you, this lady did not, like much of her generation, look like the kind of person who would use vulgar language unless she really, really meant it.
So this was my first encounter with this kind of story. I'm curious. Are there more stories like this? Please tell me them in the comments section. Thanks.