Kind Statement on the Bush Administration's Denial of Wisconsin's SeniorCare Waiver

Press Release

Kind Statement on the Bush Administration's Denial of Wisconsin's SeniorCare Waiver

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind made the following statement in response to the Bush
Administration's denial of Wisconsin's SeniorCare waiver:
"I am extremely disappointed by the Bush Administration's decision not to extend Wisconsin's SeniorCare
waiver.
"Seniors all over Wisconsin tell me what a life-saver the SeniorCare program is to them, and their interests
are our top priority. We cannot allow Wisconsin seniors to fall through the cracks of this bureaucratic
fight, and will work to ensure they continue to get the care they need and deserve.
"This program is a pillar of innovation, saving millions of dollars while providing more comprehensive
and less expensive coverage than Medicare Part D. Wisconsin uses its buying power to negotiate lower
cost prescription drugs, while the federal government made it illegal under Medicare Part D. Wisconsin
makes applying for SeniorCare easy for seniors, while Part D has a complicated and cumbersome
application process. Simply put, Wisconsin's program should be a model for the federal government, not
the other way around.
"The federal government cannot encourage states to develop original programs that save money, and at
the same time tout their one-size-fits-all approach. This contradictory policy discourages innovation,
hinders the advancement of our health care system, and wastes tax-dollars.
"I will continue to explore all of our options in an effort to save this landmark program that supports
more than 100,000 Wisconsin seniors."

Source