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09/15/2006 / Permalink / Adwatch, Health Care, Video, (all tags)

Brown calls for simple, affordable Medicare Rx Benefit

As seniors fall into the doughnut hole and drug prices rise, special interests thank DeWine for Part D disaster

U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined seniors, people with disabilities, and advocates to call for a simple, affordable Medicare drug benefit. Many seniors are now hitting the doughnut hole - a gap in coverage - in their Part D plans. They are being forced to pay full price for their prescription drugs - more than $2,000 in unexpected out of pocket costs. Senator Mike DeWine voted in favor of the Medicare Part D benefit. DeWine has taken nearly $300,000 in contributions from the drug and insurance industry.

"As the drug and insurance industries rake in tens of billions of dollars in profits, Ohio seniors and people with disabilities are being forced to pay full price for their prescription drugs as they hit gaps in coverage," said Brown. "This Medicare drug plan has provided windfall profits to the drug companies at the expense of Ohio seniors."

While seniors and people with disabilities continue to express frustration with the Part D disaster, Senator Mike DeWine continues to tout his vote in favor of the drug plans. The legislation included a $100 billion subsidy for the pharmaceutical industry, and has allowed the industry to earn tens of billions more off of the backs of the poorest seniors and taxpayers.

07/30/2006 / Permalink / Health Care, Medicare Part D, Seniors, (all tags)

Brown urges DeWine to end year-long obstruction on stem cell research bill

STEM-CELL OBSTRUCTION HITS ONE-YEAR MARK; 716,000 OHIO DIABETES PATIENTS WAITING FOR CURE

Brown Urges DeWine to Stop Helping Bush Block Life-Saving Research, Let Senate Hold Vote on Stem Cells

AMHERST--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today called on incumbent Republican Senator Mike DeWine to support a measure that would expand stem-cell research, which could provide hope for millions of sufferers of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, ALS, and spinal cord injuries, among other serious conditions.

"We have a moral obligation to seek cures that will save lives," Brown said. "How much longer will President Bush and Senator DeWine force Ohio families to wait for the full promise of stem cell research?"

The bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act has been blocked in the U.S. Senate since it was passed by the House on May 24, 2005. The legislation is opposed by Bush and some Republican allies in Congress -- including DeWine - but enjoys overwhelming support from the public. A national poll conducted earlier this month found that 72% of respondents supported advancing stem-cell research, with only 24% opposed.

Brown was an original co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

05/23/2006 / Permalink / Health Care, Seniors, stem cells, (all tags)

Dewine Medicare Rx `Fix’ Leaves More Than 400,000 Ohioans Without Coverage

Brown calls for unlocking of Part D enrollment

AMHERST--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today called for the immediate reopening of Medicare Part D enrollment for seniors, a critical step not addressed by the GOP proposal to waive the late penalty.

"We shouldn't solve half the problem, we should solve all of it," Brown said. "The insurance industry doesn't want to extend the enrollment deadline, so Republicans won't extend it. Why are insurers calling the shots?"

Unless the law is changed, most seniors will have to wait until November 15 to enroll in the drug benefit, and will not receive coverage until next January. Seniors who sign up in November will be subject to late penalties that permanently increases premiums by 7%.

Seniors attempting to sign up for the program have encountered a dizzying array of private insurance plans. Many have reported spending hours on hold with help lines, only to receive inaccurate information after getting through.

"Medicare Part D was created by the drug and insurance companies and for the drug and insurance companies, with seniors no more than an afterthought," Brown said. "We should never have had a penalty in the first place, and we should not be blocking seniors from signing up now."

05/16/2006 / Permalink / Health Care, Medicare Part D, Seniors, (all tags)

Brown Calls For Immediate Extension of Medicare Rx Deadline

AMHERST--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today called on President George W. Bush to immediately extend the deadline for enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D.

Unless the law is changed, seniors who sign up for Medicare Part D after the May 15 deadline will suffer a late penalty that permanently increases their monthly premiums.

"This plan was written by drug companies, for drug companies, with seniors as an afterthought," Brown said. "With the confusion and frustration created by Medicare Part D, it is clear that seniors deserve more, not less, time to make this decision."

Seniors attempting to enroll in the program have encountered a dizzying array of private plans. Many have reported waiting on hold for hours when calling help lines.

Only one third of eligible seniors have voluntarily signed up for the program.

04/18/2006 / Permalink / Health Care, Medicare Part D, Seniors, (all tags)

GOP Health Bill Would Gut Patient’s Rights

Brown, Ohioans Call On DeWine To Choose Children, Not HMOs

LORAIN COUNTY--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) and more than one hundred doctors, nurses, social workers, and other concerned residents from across Ohio wrote to Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee), and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt today to express concerns about legislation under consideration by the Senate that would threaten health care coverage for more than 3 million Ohioans.

Senate bill 1955, which passed a Senate committee last month after a tie-breaking vote from DeWine, would override Ohio consumer-protection laws ensuring coverage of critical health care. It could be voted on by the full Senate as early as next week.

"This bill represents an assault by the insurance industry on the hard-earned patient protections that benefit us all," Brown said. "With this letter, we are putting the Republican leadership in Washington on notice--our health and safety must come first."

04/06/2006 / Permalink / Enzi Bill, Health Care, Seniors, (all tags)

Senate Bill Could Limit Health Care Coverage, Sherrod Warns at Weekend Events

Youngstown Community Health Center

News conference in Lima

Sherrod speaks with patients and health care professionals in Lima

Health professionals and patients join Sherrod to oppose Enzi Bill at Toledo event

Joined by health care professionals and patients, Sherrod spoke out in Youngstown, Lima, and Toledo last weekend against a Senate bill that would override Ohio laws ensuring coverage of critical health care.

Senate bill 1955, proposed by Senator Michael Enzi of Wyoming, was approved by a Senate committee last month with support from Ohio Republican Senator Mike DeWine.

"We need legislation that will help employers and workers afford health care, not divert billions in tax dollars to industry coffers," Sherrod said. "And we can do that by curing Washington of its addiction to insurance industry money."

The bill would allow health insurers to drop coverage for health care needs including maternity care; breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer screenings; kidney dialysis; physicals, immunizations and other basic health care for children; mental health treatment; and emergency care.

Families USA, a national health care advocacy group, called the Enzi legislation one of the "most harmful anti-consumer bills in recent memory."

Sherrod co-wrote legislation that would help Ohio small businesses afford health care through tax credits, and enable them to buy into the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

"2006 is about change in Ohio," Sherrod said. "Do you stand up for Ohio families, or do you succumb to the temptations of Washington lobbyists and the insurance industry? Ohioans know where I stand."

04/03/2006 / Permalink / Enzi Bill, Health Care, Seniors, (all tags)

Brown Says Republican Health Bill Will Devastate Ohio Families

DAYTON, OH--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today joined with local health care experts and area residents at the Drew Health Center to speak out against legislation approved by the Senate that would threaten health care coverage for more than 3 million Ohioans.

S. 1955 -- known as the "Enzi" bill -- passed the Senate earlier this month. Supported by Ohio Republican Senator Mike DeWine, the bill would override Ohio laws ensuring coverage of critical health care.

"This bill is part of the pay-to-play system plaguing Washington," Brown said. "The drug industry wrote the disastrous Medicare Part D program, and oil companies wrote an energy bill sending home heating bills through the roof. Now the insurance industry wants its turn at the trough."

03/25/2006 / Permalink / Enzi Bill, Health Care, Seniors, (all tags)