MnSF members were among those who testified at a hearing at the Minnesota Capitol on May 31 regarding initial implementation of Medicare Part D. Congressional staff from the offices of Sen. Mark Dayton, Sen. Norm Coleman. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, Rep. Martin Sabo, Rep. James Oberstar and Rep. Betty McCollum were in attendance to hear testimony. MnSF member Dan Mikel was concerned about the formulary, stating, "this month we got a list of drugs that our plan no longer covered; we were safe, but what about next month when I get a letter saying that my wife's drug is no longer covered by the formulary?"

Medicare Justice Coalition co-chair and MnSF member Howard Gochberg was thankful he was not using a Medicare Part D plan, stating, "I get all my medications from the Veterans Administration through their Tri Care program; the program is very simple." 

MJC co-chair and MnSF member Brian Berggren reminded the congressional staff of the importance of the issue, stating, "the people in Congress have their own health plan; they'll never have to worry about this stuff for themselves, it's all of us in this room who have to worry." 

Tina Massier, a young worker who has multiple sclerosis spoke towards the challenge of being moved from Medical Assistance to Medicare Part D, stating, "I was getting my therapy drugs through MA, which slows down my M.S. and allow me to work. After being forced into a Medicare Part D plan, my new plan provider did not ship me my medication for a number of days, and I had to stop working due to the deteriorating affect of the M.S."

Among all the testimony, there was a common theme among all that the new Medicare Part D has been confusing and inefficient. One of the solutions offered was for the Medicare Part D program to be modeled after the Veteran's Administration program, which allows the government to negotiate the best price, and would serve consumers and taxpayers more efficiently.

To get more involved in solutions to fix Medicare, call MnSF at 651/783-5004.