Drug Meeting Disappointing

Rep. Frank LoBiondo's hasty exit from the meeting he convened to explain the new Medicare D drug benefit was disappointing. The bureaucrats whom LoBiondo, R-2nd, left to do the explaining did the best they could. But they could not help coming up short, again and again referring questioners to the Medicare Web site, even though most of the people had indicated they did not have Internet access. What I had hoped to hear, as a taxpayer and Medicare recipient, was the reason no attempt was made by Congress to negotiate with the drug companies for good prices, and why the tremendous cost overrun wasn't foreseen. It looks like the insurance companies, drug companies and chain pharmacies will be the real beneficiaries of this ill-conceived plan. Taxpayers and small independent pharmacies will be the losers, and many seniors will still be unable to afford medicines they need.When a member of the audience criticized Medicare D, applause broke out. The next questioner also criticized the plan to enthusiastic clapping, whereupon one of LoBiondo's aides snatched the microphone from him. While we spend billions in Iraq installing by force what we call democracy, what is happening to democracy at home?

SALLY LAIRD McINERNEY

Letter Published in Press of Atlantic City, December 28, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/opsed/story/5794852p-5811421c.html