VIDEO: Youngstown Medicare Event

Fox-TV Youngstown covers Sherrod's Medicare event in Youngstown (8/6/06)

08/07/2006 / Permalink / Medicare Part D, Northeast Ohio, Seniors, Video, (all tags)

DeWine Spokesman Defends Hole in Rx Coverage for Seniors

Defends doughnut hole that is forcing seniors to pay $2,850 in out of pocket costs

AMHERST, OH - A spokesman for Senator Mike DeWine today defended the doughnut hole - or gap in prescription drug coverage - that is affecting seniors enrolled in the new Part D prescription drug programs. Seniors and people with disabilities have been shocked to find that after $2,250 in coverage, their prescription drug plans do not cover their drug payments for the next $2,850 in costs.

"Mike DeWine continues to support a prescription drug plan that leaves seniors without any coverage for $2,850 in costs," said Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown. "DeWine supported the bill's $100 billion taxpayer-provided subsidy for the drug companies, but according to his spokesman a plan that actually covered seniors' drug costs would be too expensive."

In addition to providing subsidies to the drug industry, the bill actually prohibits Medicare from negotiating with the drug companies for lower prices. DeWine has accepted nearly $300,000 in contributions from the pharmaceutical industry.

Brown is touring the state to meet with Ohio seniors who have fallen into the doughnut hole. He met with seniors like Marilyn Rogers of Cincinnati, whose prescription drugs cost $800-900 a month out of pocket to treat her diabetes, hypertension, and fibromyalgia. According to Ms. Rogers, she didn't know her plan had a doughnut hole when she signed up for it and now cannot afford all of her prescription drugs. She is cutting back on her medication to make it through the doughnut hole.

Brown called for a plan to provide for a simple, affordable benefit within Medicare that allowed the agency to negotiate with the drug companies for lower prices.

Citation below:

DeWine's Spokesman Said, "Doughnut Hole" Was Needed, Claimed Most People Wouldn't Be In It. In August 2006 DeWine's spokesman said that the "doughnut hole" in Medicare was necessary. DeWine's spokesman Michael Dawson said, "If you want to hold down costs to the federal taxpayer you need it. Without that, costs would skyrocket and the bulk of the cost would be picked up by the taxpayers, and a lot of people aren't even going to make it there." [Elyria Chronicle Telegram, 8/2/06]

08/02/2006 / Permalink / Medicare Part D, Seniors, (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)

VIDEO: Lima News Conference

07/30/2006 / Permalink / Medicare Part D, Northwest Ohio, Seniors, Video, (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 Receives 100% Rating From Senior Group

Alliance for Retired Americans Lauds Pro-Senior Votes on Medicare, Social Security

AMHERST--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) this week received a 100% rating for 2005 from the Alliance for Retired Americans, a progressive, nonpartisan senior advocacy organization, in recognition of his votes on issues like pensions, the federal budget, and Medicare Part D.

"I am proud to stand with Ohio's retirees to protect health care, pensions, and Social Security," Brown said. "Seniors deserve our gratitude for their contributions to society--not budget cuts and privatization of essential programs."

The senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Brown has led the effort in Congress to lower prescription drug costs. He hosted bus trips to Canada to help Ohio seniors afford prescription drug medications, and was an outspoken opponent of the Medicare Part D legislation in 2003.

04/18/2006 / Permalink / 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)