HARKIN AIDE TO VISIT WAUKON ON BEHALF OF MEDICARE BILL

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has announced today that his aide, Linda Lucy, will travel to the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon as part of a statewide tour to discuss the need for affordable and dependable prescription drug coverage for Iowa seniors.
"This is by far the biggest out of pocket medical cost seniors face," said Harkin. "Three out of four seniors do not have solid private drug coverage. Senior citizens in Iowa shouldn't have to choose between the medications they need and food. Congress should act this year to help seniors with these costs."
Harkin has been getting calls and letters from many Iowans about the burden of prescription drug costs and has led roundtable discussions across the state to hear the concerns of Iowa senior citizens about their access to affordable prescription drugs.
Harkin's bill would offer a voluntary prescription drug benefit to all participants in the Medicare program. It would cover 50% of drug costs with no deductible. It would also provide catastrophic coverage to assure that in no instance would a senior be faced with bankruptcy due to high drug costs. The plan would also tackle the problem of high drug costs by giving seniors the same purchasing power that enables HMO's and other health plans to bargain for lower prices. It also includes incentives for employers to provide and maintain existing retiree drug coverage.
Linda Lucy will be available for discussion at the Allamakee County Courthouse Wed., July 26, between 2 and 3 p.m. The courthouse is located at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon.