Medicare Madness Part D

Having received no response from Senator Cantwell to my letter asking for her help to repair the disastrous privatized drug benefit program, I sent her a reminder. Last fall we all received expensive flyers singing the praises of the Medicare Drug Benefit and were offered help in deciphering the Byzantine structure of the alleged benefits.
When it comes to doing something that would really help seniors, like fixing a bad bill, she seems less eager to help.

Senator Cantwell,
Last week I wrote to about some of the many problems with the Medicare Drug Benefit Plan that you voted for. I requested that you use the same leadership and energy to fix these problems of this flawed legislation that you displayed in protecting the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. I have received no response from you. As the program is being implemented, the situation is becoming critical. States are having to use their own resources to prevent medical emergencies, as the poor and elderly are switched to the new program.Clinton characterized the situation as a "double whammy"; a poor program badly executed.....

I sent her this link, in case she was the only member of Congress unaware of the crisis.

The Medicare D crisis continued to unfold with 20 states having to step in to furnish Medicare recipients with drugs to avert a medical meltdown. These states are now being told that Medicare will not reimburse them. They will have to take their chances with the drug manufacturers. I guess that means they get in line behind the shareholders and that our property taxes and auto license fees go up.

A few days later, I recieved this email from Senator Cantwell.

Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for your recent support in our ongoing battle to protect the environment and fight back against Republican power-grabs. Our latest victory in the fight to guard the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from greedy special interests was hard fought and especially important.After several failed attempts to break into this environmental haven, the Republicans were determined to close the session by getting their drilling rights one way or another. They played with Senate rules and made an egregious attempt to give the oil-companies' a free-for-all in the Alaskan wilderness by interfering with an important defense spending bill.While I worked the Senate floor with my colleagues, people all across the country got on the phones and called Congress, signed petitions like ours, wrote letters and emails, and ignited the power of the grassroots. I know that these grassroots actions were what made the critical difference in what was an extremely close vote.We were able to win thanks to hard work by some great Democratic senators strengthened by the outpouring of support from people like you. Don't underestimate the impact that you had - I don't.But this battle is not over. The specific fight over the Arctic Refuge and larger fight for real energy independence will only be intensifying in coming months. I am up for re-election in 2006, and I know that continuing these fights in Washington D.C. all but guarantees me a stiff challenge here in Washington state.The national Republican party has now identified me as one of the "top three targeted Democratic incumbents." They know that special interest money will be easy to attract and they know that I'm running against a multimillionaire lobbyist who can tap unlimited resources.But you can count on my campaign - we are ready for the fight. We know there is power in standing up for what we believe in and fighting for our common values, against whatever onslaught. I have stood up and stared down the Republican political machine before, and I will do so again and again. I have stood up to the oil companies and other special interests and fought for the principles we cherish, not because it is easy but because it is the right thing to do.I promise you I will remain vigilant to make sure we find real solutions to our overdependence on foreign oil and don't pursue giveaways to the oil companies. I will be ready, but I need your help.Once again, thank you for standing up with me now. I am grateful for your friendship in 2005 and, as we face the coming battles, encouraged by your support in 2006.
Sincerely,

At this point, I'm losing my patience and getting a bit testy.

Senator Cantwell,
I have repeatedly asked you to stand with seniors and straighten out the Medicare mess that you voted for against our wishes. It is something we had no power to prevent and no power to change.Will you do that?
Carol DW

Senator Cantwell has not responded.