Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Bush Upset about “Tricky” Drug Reference, Serving “Donut Holes”

Dear President Bush,

I heard both your speechwriter and the caterer incurred your wrath during your latest open house on the new Medicare prescription program. You would think Florida would be more accommodating to the sitting President with all its elderly folks and your brother the Governor.

Your speechwriter failed to notice an unintended Nixon reference when he called the new Medicare drug program “tricky”. After stumbling over the word, you did your best to improvise by substituting “complicatory”. Thank you for later explaining that word means “complicated story”.

You did show your Nixon side later when the crowd broke for snacks and refreshments. When the caterer announced the serving of donut holes at $3,600 apiece, you went ballistic. How did she know that the really good drug coverage doesn’t kick in until seniors pass through a coverage gap where their out of pocket medicine costs total that exact same amount? The coincidences are eerie when you think about it.

Another strange coincidence may happen around the November elections. How many seniors signing up just prior to the May 15th deadline will hit their “donut hole” or “coverage gap” around election time? As they will still be paying premiums but getting no tangible benefit, how might they feel about the instigators of the program? Where will most people be in working through their $3,600 out of pocket costs when Election Day arrives? How many will be mired in the $2,850 coverage gap?

The people believe you when you call yourself “the Decider”. Many may wonder why you decided to create such a complicatory benefit. Who will they hold accountable come Election Day? Might some of your supporters even stay away from the polls, sitting at home sipping coffee and enjoying their donut holes?

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