I put this out there today for FL-5 race

[Dr.Phool]

John will have a press conference in front of Ginny Brown Waite's office in Brooksville tomorrow at 10:30. Y'all are invited.


Press Release- For immediate release
May 10, 2006

Happy Mothers Day and we hope your mother survives the Republican Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit.

Last year, in a lobbyist feeding frenzy, Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL5) cast the deciding vote to enrich her campaign contributors, and fill her re-election coffers at the expense of our nation’s seniors and taxpayers.

Congressional candidate John Russell says, “This bill was falsely presented to Congress, as costing $400 billion, is rapidly escalating to nearly a trillion dollars, and does nothing to reign in out of control prescription prices”. Russell says there are also numerous other problems with the legislation, such as severe financial penalties for seniors who don’t sign up for the program by Monday, May 15. “The very least Congress could do, is extend the sign-up deadline. The program is very complicated and confusing”, said Russell.

He explains that some of the problems include, different medications offered by different plans, and doctors having to submit proof, in writing, that the patient needs that specific medication. “What you have here”, explains Russell, “is a situation where both doctors and patients have to jump through unnecessary hoops to get medication in a timely manner. If the insurance company denies medication, there is an appeals process. How many people will suffer needlessly, or even die waiting for an appeal”? He also said other problems include burdensome co-pays for in home medications that could force people to stay in the hospital longer. This will ultimately drive up costs.

Earlier this year, at a town hall meeting, Brown-Waite denied the existence of a “doughnut hole” in coverage. However, when patients have used over $2850 in medications, they must continue to pay premiums with no benefits. Coverage will kick back in later at a higher threshold. According to Russell, we need to offer real prescription drug coverage for our seniors instead of a giveaway for the pharmaceutical and insurance industries.