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RECENT LETTERS, REVIEWS AND PRESS Wouldn't that explain a lot? Who else but aliens, posing as "representatives of the people," would dismiss their constituents' biggest problems, listening only to and voting only for those who give them big money? For proof, read Plan D! This article (Aliens in Congress) is great! If you have time, I would appreciate your opinion. Are politicians really that much different today then over the past several thousand years? It has only been in the past few years (after my wife passed away) that I have become more knowledgeable and involved. Maybe it's because I have more time to think. It seems as though the ones who really look at the political situation or other problems and do something are those that are older. It seems like the only younger people involved are those who take politics as a profession. Can't remember the last time I heard the word "Statesman" used, especially related to our politicians, whether they be local or federal. Hope you know what I am trying to say. Also, I appreciate you being my therapist. Maurie Herman Yes, I believe today's politicians are very different from those in the past. Sure, there was always the occasional bad apple who put greed before his or her responsibility to the voters. But today it's the standard. *** The first Medicare reform should be that all present and former government officials should receive their health care under the same Medicare program that is being so drastically ruined by those who will never have to deal with it. How can they ever make wise decisions that affect others without being subject to those same decisions themselves? Allen Rossman *** You just keep getting better and better; aliens in Congress & the Whitehouse explains it all. It would be too funny if it weren't too terrible. George "explaining" Medicare was unbelievable; have never heard him mix up his cue cards so badly. No wonder his staff quiver with fear when he speaks off the cuff. Peggy Fisher *** After hearing the president's speeches just lately, I must agree with you. No reasonable human being could possibly be so out of touch. Marlene Lunsman *** What are your thoughts of Humana offering ZERO premiums on their plan, including prescription coverage??? There seems to be a HUGE push in this area (Arkansas) for seniors to sign up for this plan; the rep here "wines n dines" people twice a week with his seminar. We're tempted but it sounds too good to be true. Pat McAuley Pat, if you're going to join Plan D, I believe this is the way to go if you don't care about what doc or hospital you must go to. *** Your article on the aliens, it explains so much about our Dear Leader and his cohorts....likewise over here, they seem to be made out of a mating of cash registers, mortuary attendants and mutants of unknown origin. because everything that happens there reflects all over the world these days.....indirectly even to us in Ausland. Lee and Einir Brunckhorst *** I hope that about 40 million people can read that piece. Bill Burgin *** They MUST be aliens. That's because they have too much money. I'd like to see these clowns live on what I do. Joan Locker Disgusted with Plan D? Congress Suggests Plan C. While Medicare's Plan D sinks under the weight of political bribes and drug and insurance giveaways, a recent Congressional report concludes the drug prices offered by Part D drug plans are “over 60 percent higher than the prices available to consumers in Canada…almost 3 percent higher than the prices available at Costco.” Hooray for your "Plan C" column!! (although) I get my meds thru Kaiser (unbeatable prices!), I have seen and heard many "horror stories" about this ridiculous situation from friends...keep up the good work (and the loud noise!). Elliot Hutkin *** Just to let you know, one over-the-hill 80-yr-old signed up for BlueCross/BlueShield of Texas for the Blue Medicare RX Standard Plan D and is very happy with it. So far, this plan looks like it will beat the heck out of the Canadian prices I was paying. I truly liked the Canadian Pharmacy I was dealing with and will go back to them if Plan D doesn't work out. I'm sorry so many others are having problems with Plan D. Thanks for your RX news which is jam full of information and good ideas. Warren Osborne *** What can we do? Contact our Senators and Congressmen? Who can we write to protest this travesty? But for the grace of God there go I! I was in local drug store a few days ago and watched a poor old woman burst into tears over frustration that she didn't have the over SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS they wanted for a prescription she came to pick up. She said her new Part D plan was supposed to pay all but 30% of it. They were not compassionate, didn't appear to be understanding or empathic. Essentially they were holding her drugs hostage. She needed them, and they just kept saying there was nothing they could do, if she wnted them, she had to pay what they quoted her. What can we do? Contact our Senators and Congressmen? Who can we write to protest this travesty? But for the grace of God there go I! I was in local drug store a few days ago and watched a poor old woman burst into tears over frustration that she didn't have the over SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS they wanted for a prescription she came to pick up. She said her new Part D plan was supposed to pay all but 30% of it. They were not compassionate, didn't appear to be understanding or empathic. Essentially they were holding her drugs hostage. She needed them, and they just kept saying there was nothing they could do, if she wnted them, she had to pay what they quoted her. She said that prior to Part D her out of pocket cost for the same prescription was nearly $200 less -- without any insurance at all. I was just appalled. I turned to her and told her that this pharmacy was supposed to give her one month's supply at no cost ... giving her time to figure out the problem. Our state (Minnesota) is one of the states that have told the pharmacies they would pay them when situations like this arose. Why the clerk in the pharmacy didn't tell her this is beyond me. I was so upset I determined I would never go back there again.She said that prior to Part D her out of pocket cost for the same prescription was nearly $200 less -- without any insurance at all. I was just appalled. I turned to her and told her that this pharmacy was supposed to give her one month's supply at no cost ... giving her time to figure out the problem. Our state (Minnesota) is one of the states that have told the pharmacies they would pay them when situations like this arose. Why the clerk in the pharmacy didn't tell her this is beyond me. I was so upset I determined I would never go back there again. Sue Gram *** Bravo, Frank! In all my 83 years I have never seen anything like this. If the USA doesn't straighten up and fly right very soon, we will collapse into third world status. The first time I voted was in the middle of France in the middle of WW2 for Franklin D. Roosevelt. He is surely turning over in his grave at a rapid rate. Too bad we can't resurrect him (or at least his spirit) and get back on the right track. It has been my observation that our country has been on the downgrade ever since Nixon/Watergate. Unless things take a turn for the better in November, I might not ever see the start of an improvement. C'est la lousy vie! Walt Hansen *** The more I read, the angrier I get. Our legislators are so out of it. They might as well be in a foreign country; they have no concept of how normal people live or how had it is for most to just get by. *** Thanks for keeping us informed about the Medicare prescription drug Plan D. I agree, it is really a mess! We seniors are in no way being helped by this program. Also,AARP will benefit greatly at our expense. Please keep up the good, keeping us informed as to what is going on. I intend to get my medicine from Canada, even though I was told by a company that offers the Part D,that Canada will no longer be selling any medicine in the US. I called Canada and they said that was false. Again, we seniors are given false information, because they think we will not check. Again keep up the good work. Jeanne *** I'm going to pre-empt this email with a fact that you may need to know before reading any further. I am a Master Herbalist and strongly believe in and live with herbal remedies and natural remedies for ailments of the body along with nutritional do's and don'ts. I do have a small business that I sell over 700 herbs, dried, and I make most all of my products that I sell. But most importantly I was taught by a very insightful herbalist that was here in the US for over 50 years teaching people that they have to eat right in order for their bodies to work right. I have been reading your columns about medicine, Medicare, AARP, and so on. You know it wouldn't be easier, but it sure would be nicer to the body if people would think about eating right instead of taking most medication. People are eating foods that their bodies cannot digest, and their bodies are sending out signals telling them this fact, and people are just getting another drug to stop the heart burn, acid reflux, gastric reflux, stomach pain, belching, gas and these are all ways in which the body tells you that it cannot digest the foods you are eating. THEN with all the un-digested foods in the body, you have a nesting ground for viruses, and bacteria.....and on and on. Well, I had to write this. It is who I am. You can trash it if you want. Vicki Vosburg Vicki. I'm so glad you wrote because you are absolutely right, the first order of business should be to take care of ourselves and each other by eating healthy, exercising, and in general treating our bodies with the respect intended by their Creator. Although I'm no nutritionist (or herbalist), there are a number of pages at http://www.suddenlysenior.com/ devoted to that idea. Plus, pharmacist Tom Braun writes specifically about that subject in his weekly "Confessions of a Drug Pusher." Perhaps you'd like to write something for Suddenly Senior readers? I'd welcome it. *** My husband has been receiving free medication from Eli Lilly Corporation and two other pharmaceutical companies. They stated that because of a bill passed by the Government, they are no longer permitted to give him the medicine. It isn't that they don't want to. They aren't allowed to. Dixie That is just so much BS! Lilly and others doing that should be ashamed of themselves. *** You wrote, "To this day, my wife and I buy our pharmaceuticals abroad, now from advertisers. I (and many Suddenly Senior readers) have found each to not only be a place of great savings but of folks who are helpful, kind, and caring." You got that right, Frank! I had a man from a Canadian RX go over with me a list of breathing medications that my HMO will NOT be carrying - he wrote down dosages, amounts, etc. You won't find and of that in any of our drugstores. Joan Locker *** I have discovered during the month of January that just because you are not taking part in Plan D does not mean that Plan D is not controlling your life. *** I was very interested since you are so right --- am with you all the way except I am buying from Costco from now on, since Prozac (which take) is a bit lower-priced from Costco than in Canada well, (from the place where I've been obtaining my Fosamax) ------ but plan D is a disgrace -- not just ridiculous but a lying, money-making plan and of absolutely no 'benefit' to seniors. Augusta *** When I first saw your articles about Medicare, etc., I was not as informed as I should have been. Consequently, I ended up doing my own research to verify or discredit what you were indicating. Unfortunately, you have been correct and unbiased. Now major newspapers and TV news are enlightening the public. Maybe, since they were not in our position nor affected, didn't see, at first, the necessity to promote or follow up. It is news worthy, but probably wasn't seen as such in the beginning. *** Yesterday, my husband and I finally figured out the Medicare Plan D. I have written it below in simple language so everyone can understand it. *** AstraZeneca, makers of Toprol XL, have done away with their program of assistance and there is no other substitute on the market according to my doctor. And now I can't get the Enbrel shots, which were supplied by Immunex Corporation Amgen/Wyeth. I will be killed off since they won't supply me anymore of this medicine for my severe rheumatoid arthritis, something I've been on since '97 twice a week shots. Too bad, they tell me, as "we've done away with the plan for assistance." I'm eligible for the Medicare Part D. However I'm on nine different medications I was getting for nothing, now I must come up with 45 to 50 dollars per month if in fact that information is truthful. I've been told I'd have to pay 25% of this drug cost which is $1,300 per month. I can't do that! If I could I'd be driving a 2006 vehicle instead of my 1994 van that's about done for. I've read where media doesn't know if people are dying yet or have died as a result of not getting their medications, well this is to inform you, YES as I will be killed off shortly and there isn't a darn thing anyone is doing to help me out here. I've contacted, the President, all the major news media, my senator, congressman, state representatives, drug companies, doctor's you name it, and there is no organization out there to help us. NONE so just to let you know first hand, I WILL be dying and I'm only 54 if that matters to anyone. My family is aware of the situation but of course none of them can afford to buy my drugs for me. Carol L. Roberts Scream like hell! Call the Medicare Ombudsman at 1-800-633-4227. Call the Brookdale hotline at 877-794-3570. Go to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, by state at http://hiicap.state.ny.us/home/link08.htm#telephone . Call Eldercare - 1-800-677-1116. Above all, call your senators at 1-800-828-0498 and your Congressman at 1-800-426-8073. *** I'm just writing you to tell you how much I enjoy your site. I am a recreational therapist for people with alzheimer's disease working on the far northwest side of chicago...i think i saw you were from park ridge...thats not too far at all. I work for Rush Prespyterian-St. Lukes hospital and the clients I work with really enjoy the things that I bring from your site...especially the trivia. I am a young girl just out of college and I don't know anything about how things were in the early to mid 1900's...so I have personally learned a lot from your site as well. It's nice to know that I can go on your site and not have to pay for some jokes like most sites make you do...we are nonprofit..so the money isnt there to purchase that stuff...so i just wanted to say thanks and tell you much my clients and myself enjoy your work. Keep up the good work! Kathy Kulpaka
FOR MORE LETTERS, CLICK HERE BRIEFME.COM's complete review of Suddenly Senior... "SUDDENLY I'M A SENIOR" One trips through life enjoying the good, bad and ugly of growing up. But when did growing up actually become growing older? One day, the AARP sends you the news that you are considered a senior citizen. The restaurant hostess asks if you prefer the senior menu. Suddenly, everyone else thinks you are a senior! Check out Frank Kaiser's Suddenly Senior website to get the real truth of growing up and older in a society that has difficulty acknowledging and respecting older folks.Real stories through real-life experiences will touch your heart and your funny bone! You will gain a sense of humor and reality from these true tales. SENIOR JOURNAL.COM SAYS "Tops! in Web Sites We Like" "We recommend the Internet magazine, SuddenlySenior.com. It features wonderful humor and hope for those 50- to 99 year-olds who have become senior before their time ... Adds hilarious humor to the Web." Diane Wagner, Editor of Vancouver, "We have looked for years for a column like Suddenly Senior. We wanted a literate, witty, sometimes biting, sometimesronic male writer with an exterior of rumpled steel and the heart of a streetwise pussycat! We found him in Suddenly Senior's Frank Kaiser." READ THIS NATIONAL NEWSWIRE STORY 'Suddenly Senior' Takes |
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