Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR 97523, January 29, 2003
Page 6
The Savvy Senior
by Carol Martin
Recently, The Seniors Coali-
tion (TSC) announced its sup-
port for plans the Bush ad-
ministration is reportedly con-
sidering
to
improve,
strengthen, and simplify the
Medicare program overall.
TSC has argued for changes
in the program that will bring it
up to the level of service to-
day's seniors have come to
expect in quality health care
plans.
"We want the president to
know that seniors are behind
him," said Mary Martin, TSC
chairman and executive direc-
tor. "Prescription drug cover-
age is the most important
problem, but right now, we
have a golden opportunity to
strengthen the program in
other ways as well. Medicare
just hasn't kept pace with the
choices, coverage, and bene-
fits seniors enjoyed through
private plans during their
working lives.
"The lack of a prescription
drug component is the most
glaring inadequacy in Medi-
care, but it's not the only one.
For example, Medicare still
does not offer adequate pre-
ventative measures. At its in-
ception, we didn't yet under-
stand how important those
measures would be. Today,
we know," she said.
"Not only is the president on
the right track, but he has a
uniquely qualified partner in
the incoming majority leader.
Senator Frist has already
proven himself a champion of
seniors in his work on health
care issues," said Ms. Martin.
The Seniors Coalition sup-
ported the Breaux-Frist legis-
lation that would have given
seniors more health care
choices under Medicare. TSC
Chairman Martin believes that
Dr. Frist's election as majority
leader will mean more choices
and higher quality care in the
Medicare program.
"Additionally, we're pleased
that the president will offer
seniors the peace of mind we
have argued for in any
changes to benefits: that sen-
iors always have the option to
continue in the system they
have grown accustomed to, if
they prefer it," Ms. Martin
added.
"We're cautiously optimistic.
As the president considers the
nation's domestic agenda for
the coming year, we want to
offer our complete support for
his approach to Medicare, and
encourage him to seize this
opportunity to improve,
strengthen, and simplify Medi-
care for the 21st century," she
concluded.
(c) 2003 DBR Media, Inc.
IVHS Activities Calendar
Brought to you by the folks at
592-3556
Cave Jct .
469-7545
Brookings/
Harbor
THURSDAY, JAN. 30
Wrestling - North Valley,
Phoenix- here - 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, JAN. 31
Girls basketball vs. Henley
here - 5:30/7:00 p.m.
Boys basketball at Henley
5:30/5:30/7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEB.1
Wrestling at Cottage Grove
7:30 a.m.
TUESDAY, FEB. 4
Girls basketball vs. Rogue
River - here 5:30/7:00 p.m.
Boys basketball at Rogue
River 3:45/5:30/7:00 p.m.
A man meets with no more
respect than he exacts.
- William Hazlitt -