Letters to the Editor - Healthcare

Seals supports health care for all Americans

Winnetka Talk
October 26

When I heard that Dan Seals wanted to represent my district in Congress, I checked his Web site: http://www.dansealsforcongress.com

I'm particularly interested in healthcare. I have it, but for different reasons my three adult sons do not. My parents have it -- they're on Medicare. But as they age and their health fails, it has become increasingly difficult for them to pay for medications.

Mark Kirk cast the deciding vote for the program that enriches drug and insurance companies, while the rest of us pay more and receive less coverage. Mark Kirk defends the Iraq war while he has voted to cut health care benefits for veterans. He doesn't even want to extend health care benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserve.

At the Dan Seals site, he said: "For me, this is a moral issue -- it is unconscionable that the world's richest nation allows so many people to go without health insurance." He went on to say that health care for all Americans is one of his biggest priorities.

I'm going to vote for Dan Seals to be my representative from the Tenth Congressional district in Lake County.

Barbara Craig
Libertyville

Drug Prices on Rise

Wilmette Life
July 13, 2006

According to AARP, in the first 3 months of this year, drug companies have increased the cost of prescription drugs 3.9 percent on 193 brand drugs.

The cost of some of the most popular drugs increased even more: Ambien, the sleeping pill medication increased 13.3 percent; Lipitor, the cholesterol reducing medication increased as much as 6.5 percent. These costs plus provider profits are being passed on to those seniors who joined the Medicare Part D drug program. The higher the cost of drugs the faster a participant will reach the dreaded donut hole.

Congressman Mark Kirk voted for this program. The Congressman was opposed to the Federal government's negotiating drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies and the bill did not include such a provision. (Incidentally, Mark Kirk has received political contributions from drug companies.)

The Veteran's administration has the ability to negotiate prices on behalf of their constituency. As a result, prices are 46 percent lower for veterans on the most popular drugs as compared to prices paid for by Medicare Part D providers. Many seniors in Kirk's district will discover that they are rapidly reaching the $2,250 coverage limit and will soon be charged 100 percent of the costs of their medication. Congressman Kirk do something. Propose a bill which will allow the government to negotiate costs for Medicare Part D seniors.

William Fiffer
Glenview

Paid for by Dan Seals for Congress

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