Feingold Works to Get Wisconsin Its Fair Share of Medicare Dollars Senator Outlines Medicare Proposal During Local Listening Sessions
November 21, 2002 Springbrook, WI - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today discussed his legislative
proposal to help Wisconsin get its fair share of Medicare dollars by
reforming the Medicare reimbursement system. Feingold's legislation
will reduce regional inequities in Medicare spending and reward, "The distribution of Medicare dollars among the 50 states is grossly unfair to Wisconsin, and much of the Upper Midwest," Feingold said. "Wisconsinites pay payroll taxes just like every American worker, but the Medicare funds we get in return don't come close to matching the money we pay into the program." Wisconsin seniors receive a narrower range of health care services than Medicare recipients in most other states as a result of the unfair reimbursement rate. For instance, Medicare beneficiaries in many other areas can choose between an HMO or traditional fee-for-service Medicare, a choice many Wisconsinites do not have. "To give an idea of how inequitable the distribution of Medicare
dollars is, imagine identical twins over the age of 65," Feingold
explained. "The twins have worked at the same company and received
the same salary and paid the same taxes. But if one twin retired to
New Orleans, Louisiana, and the other retired in Wisconsin, they would
have vastly different health care options under Medicare. The twin in
Louisiana would get much more." Feingold held his 68th Listening Session of 2002, and his 716th since
he was first elected at the Springbrook Community Center, starting at
7:30 a.m. He held his 69th Listening Session of 2002, and his 717th
since he was first elected, at Grantsburg Village Hall, starting at
10:45 a.m. This is Feingold's tenth year of holding Listening Sessions
in every county. |