Big Rx and Bandaids contains a few of the democratic responses, the hypocrisy of the lawmakers that were involved, and the fact that the AARP sells the United Plan and earns commissions, and a link to an independent news source that claim that Medicare D(isaster) was "written for big rx cos. and HMO's."

Single Payer Health Care:  The Time Has Come! discusses a single-payer health care system as a means of solving the problems with health care and demonstrates that it would be more cost-effective.  Specific examples are provided.

GM's Health Care Hostage-Taking describes how GM is attempting to reduce retiree health care, as a means of controlling costs.

Some corporations that are receiving subsidies/welfare (and the amounts) are listed.  GM received a 1 billion dollar subsidy.

Poverty and Rising Health Care Costs gives statistics re:  the increasing poverty in this country, the growing disparity between the rich and poor, and the lack of health coverage.

Medicare D:  Cost of Sales Pitch ?'d gives the bare bones expenses of the marketing costs of Medicare D(isaster) by this admininstration. Aslo details the waste of $ in a separate PR stunt, specifically, a Valentine's Day Ad that appears to be designed to sell more insurance policies.

Medicare D(isaster) and Mixed Messages raises questions about the use of "co-branded" Medicare D(isaster) Cards.

Medicare D(isaster) is supposedly going to be simplified next year.  Yeah, right!!  What's the catch?

Total Costs of Implementation of Medicare D(isaster) over $26 Billion.

Some Seniors Skip Medicare D(isaster) and Buy Rx's From Canada.  The costs are a factor in their decision.

Single Payer Health Care and Veterans.

The Effects of Medicare D(isaster) on Independent Pharmacies illustrates the beginnings of a possible nation-wide problem.

More Information re:  Medicare D(isaster) and Independent Pharmacies.  Lists organizations who are advocating change

Americans United--a group that rose from the ashes of Americans United to Protect Social Security--is leading a coalition to reform Part D.  In addition to participating in the AU coalition, the liberal advocacy group Campaign for America's Future is teaming up with Moveon.org, the Public Campaign Action Fund and USAction to educate voters in key districts about the real costs of the Medicare boondoggle.  Last week, several prominent groups--including the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Consumers Union, Families USA, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, U.S. PIRGS and USAction--met with Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin to begin plotting on how to best force action. On the House side, a unified Democratic Party is organizing more then 100 Medicare "town halls" in the upcoming weeks.

Independent Pharmacists From Texas Meet With Karl Rove.

TEXAS Sues Over Medicare D(isaster) Reimbursement.  

Kentucky, Maine, Missouri and New Jersey. Alaska, Connecticut, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Vermont filed friend-of-the-court briefs.

Statements Made By Various Politicians re:  Medicare D(isaster).Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.:

"I think pressure is building on Congress and the Bush administration to get this straightened out...My hope is in the coming weeks we'll be able to pass legislation to get it straightened out."

Let's add a lot more!

Some Legislative Fixes To Medicare D(isaster) are detailed.

A Taste Of Our Own Medicine describes a bill introduced to ensure that congresscritters cannot have better rx coverage than Medicare Beneficiaries.  It is still buried in comittee--Homeland Security.

Possible AARP Conflict Of Interest?  United Health has an agreement w/AARP to sell policies.  Terms are questioned, but not disclosed.  Larry Noble, Executive Director for the Center For Responsive Politics, states that a full disclosure by AARP is necessary.

Those who are Dual-Eligible are enrolled in more than one plan if they switch.  Seems like this would add to the inflation of some of the numbers claimed by CMS...?

Medicare D(isaster), Medicaid, and Special Ed lists some of the cuts that will be made to Special Ed after the mid-terms.

Salesman-In-Chief Markets Medicare D(isaster)gwb is now an infomercial, and a transplant recipient has to contact the Chicago Tribune to obtain assistance to get the rx's needed to stay alive.  It took the Chicago Trib a few days to do so.  

Congrats to the Trib!