Senator Herb Kohl on SeniorCare

In Wisconsin we have a great program that helps seniors afford prescription drugs while saving taxpayers money. I’m talking, of course, about SeniorCare.

The popular SeniorCare program provides affordable and comprehensive drug coverage to 91,000 Wisconsin seniors. With a $30 annual enrollment fee, copayments ranging from $5 to $15, and no gaps in coverage, SeniorCare is a proven program that works. In addition to providing exceptional drug coverage, the program also saves taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by negotiating for discounts from drug companies.

Despite its success, some have proposed dismantling SeniorCare so that it would only serve to fill in gaps in private insurance coverage. This would effectively gut SeniorCare and remove the many benefits that seniors like about the program.

That’s why last week I called the Secretary of Health and Human Services to urge her to reject any plan that would dismantle the program. According to the current federal SeniorCare waiver any change to the program must be approved by the HHS Secretary.

This certainly isn’t the first time we’ve had to work to protect SeniorCare. In 2007, I pulled together the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, and passed legislation that extended the program through 2009. Then in 2009, I worked with the Administration to extend the program through December of 2012.

It’s time to fight for and protect SeniorCare again and I will do whatever I can to keep this important program healthy and running. Just this week I visited St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee and addressed the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans Convention in Madison, urging both groups to help fight for SeniorCare. Representatives from the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups and AARP added their voices as well; these organizations understand how important this program is to seniors in our state and are working hard to defend it. I hope you will join me in supporting this vital program and help carry this message to our leaders in Madison and Washington.

Sincerely,  Senator Herb Kohl
*taken from his newsletter Friday, March 25, 2011

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl Visits St. Ann Center and Addresses the Future of SeniorCare

Senator Herb Kohl visited and toured St. Ann Center, hosted by Center president, Sr. Edna Lonergan and Board Chair Jim Lenahan. They also were accompanied by Stephanie Sue Stein, executive director of Milwaukee Department of Aging, president and executive director of CWAG-Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups. Senator Kohl spoke to a crowd of older adults who had gathered in the Center’s atrium to hear him speak and take the opportunity to ask him questions.

He told the crowd that on March 17 he had urged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to deny any request to change Wisconsin’s popular prescription drug program, SeniorCare. In 2007 and 2009, Kohl fought to extend the SeniorCare program, which was established by Gov. Tommy Thompson in 2002.

Kohl asked the Secretary to preserve the current federal SeniorCare waiver that he had negotiated. Any change to the program must be approved by the Health and Human Services Secretary. Under the terms of the 1115 Medicaid waiver that authorizes the program, changes to SeniorCare are prohibited without federal approval.

“SeniorCare has proven to be an efficient, cost-effective choice for Wisconsin seniors. It would be a mistake to dismantle this program, which provides exceptional coverage while saving consumers, taxpayers and the state money. I’m confident that the Administration recognizes the value of SeniorCare,” Kohl said.

According to the Department of Health in Wisconsin, in 2009, the average annual federal cost per enrollee for SeniorCare was $588, less than half the $1,690 federal government spent to subsidize a Part D participant. SeniorCare negotiates lower drug prices and saved $50 million in 2009 alone. SeniorCare currently has a $20 million surplus that the State of Wisconsin wants to use to plug the budget deficit.

Because Medicare Part D does not negotiate drug prices, most, if not all, Wisconsin seniors enrolled in SeniorCare would see the cost of their medicines rise. Wisconsin would no longer receive drug rebates through negotiation, further padding drug company profits.

As Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging Senator Kohl joins with Ranking Member Bob Corker in leading the committee to explore and investigate issues that concern all elderly Americans.

You can find more information on Senator Herb Kohl at http://kohl.senate.gov/