Prescription Cards Lock Seniors Into Bad Contracts

WASHINGTON – Campaign for America's Future Co-director Roger Hickey said that today marks day one of President Bush's new prescription drug law's payback to companies that invested millions of dollars in Republican politicians.

Companies selected by the Bush Administration to sell "Medicare approved" prescription cards began marketing their products to seniors today. The top ten political contributors of these companies invested $8.2 million in politicians since the 2002 election cycle. Of this money — 70% was taken by Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

STATEMENT OF ROGER HICKEY

This is day one of the Bush Medicare law's scheduled auction of Medicare and scarce money from seniors' pockets.

The companies picked by the Bush Administration to sell "Medicare approved" cards are getting their payback for the millions they invested in Republican politicians.

The cards lock seniors into contracts with private insurance companies that offer no real savings for medication. Seniors unhappy with the cards only have a handful of days after the presidential election to try to get a better deal — while companies can change prices or the drugs they cover every week.

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