Illinois Couple is suing Govt. and Drug Companies over Canada Drug Imports

[KoKo]

Just saw the interview on CNBC where this retired couple living on a pension of $36,000 a year is suing to overturn the ban on importation of drug medications from Canada. They were grilled by the CNBC hosts and even asked if they had not been contacted by the lawyer to start the suit. (Meaning "were you two put up to this by an unscrupulous, ambulance chasing lawyer...my interpretation).

The CNBC hosts went so far as to question how these two people could expect to win a case going after the Government and the Major Drug Companies (they acted incredulous that two people could actually even "think" of going against the big guys) then the hosts said, "you realize you will be subjected to overwhelming scrutiny over why you are bringing this suit.." (more indimidating language, there).

My point in this post is that its great that these folks are doing something about this but notice how they are being intimidated on CNBC and warned about the consequences. The couple stood up for themselves and even mentioned when asked by the hosts if the AARP was backing them, that they don't even "discuss the AARP because a Senator told them that the AARP was just one big insurance agency and if you read the fine print in the AARP's Mission Statement, it says it there."

So here's a :toast: to those fine people taking on the Bushies and the Drug Behomeths. I wish them well.

[nodictators]

1. Very poor coverage of Medicare changes in media

Poll Shows Americans Confused by Medicare Changes

Updated 12:46 PM ET February 26, 2004

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American seniors are keenly interested in the new Medicare bill signed into law last December, but more than two-thirds are confused about it, according to a survey released on Thursday.

The survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows just 15 percent of people over 65, who will be most affected by the new prescription drug law, understand it very well. And the younger general public understands it even less well.

---snip---

Nearly 70 percent of those polled did not understand that it was a bill passed in Congress and signed into law by President Bush, the nonprofit research group said.

"The lack of understanding of the prescription drug law makes it ripe for political demagoguery on both sides as we enter the election season," Kaiser President Drew Altman said in a statement.

Sorry, I don't have a link for this. However, our beloved corporate media have, especially TV, have have given it very little coverage. Think of the coverage they've given to nipplegate, same-sex marriages, and "the Passion" recently.

[KoKo]

2. Thanks for the polls on this. The worst thing is that it isn't just a

"Senior" issue. There are many young folks who need constant medication and can't afford it because their health insurance policies don't cover all of it, or they can't get health insurance at all because of a condition where they need expensive medication.

Even here on DU many of our younger DU'ers think this is an issue just for Grannies. It affects us ALL!