Boyda holds forums, helps senior citizens

Congresswoman Nancy Boyda held a series of forums dedicated to answering questions relating to Medicare across the district this week, including one in Columbus (in the extreme southeastern corner of the state) that was covered by The Joplin Globe.

It's a long article, and a good one, detailing many of the problems our senior citizens face while trying to facilitate a basic need: getting their medicine.

Here's an excerpt:

Boyda said President Bush and many Republicans in Congress want to cut funding for services to senior citizens, but she said he would fight to prevent it.

“In December, you’re going to see some showdowns on the House and Senate floor,” she said.

Boyda said that in comparing plans that are offered, one should keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. She said 52 plans are offered to Kansas residents under the Medicare drug plan.

“The marketplace can be pretty brutal, honestly,” she said. She said a company’s profit motive doesn’t always coincide with what is the common good.

Boyda also reiterated her belief Medicare should be able to negotiate with drug companies for cheaper prices- a no-brainer solution to a massive problem that the Republicans in Congress and the White House continue to ignore.

According to the official site, a total of five forums were held.