Silver City,
Apr 7, 2004 -
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., said Tuesday he was pleased with the turnout at a Medicare town hall meeting at Western New Mexico University Monday night and with the many questions raised by area residents.
“After the explanation, people will say something along the lines of ‘that’s not all bad,’” Pearce said. “I think many come maybe with the perception the thing has deep problems. They’re usually asking about things they have read, then when we discuss it, they say it’s pretty good. I believe it’s good for New Mexico and good for the country, but it’s not perfect.”
Anna Harrison of Silver City, who attended the forum with her husband who is on Social Security disability, agreed with Pearce and was satisfied with the program presented.
“It was very informative,” Harrison said. “We had two questions — once we make a decision on which plan in 2006, will we have an opportunity once a year to change which kind of plan we’re in, like with insurance companies? They weren’t absolutely sure of the answers.”
Despite not having all the answers, Harrison said she was satisfied with Pearce and his staff’s response, which promised to follow up and get the information to her.
“If it wasn’t established yet, if this is still in the works ... well, life doesn’t stay the same,” Harrison said. “What we need when we start could be different in two years. l want to know if there is no penalty if we change and if we can change once a year.”
Harrison’s other concern was whether Congress had established in the new Medicare law a provision for regulating prices on pharmaceuticals.
“The pharmaceutical companies were not put under any kind of regulation for what they could charge,” Harrison said she learned at the forum. “But (Congress) believes they have gotten their attention — that they are seeing more community service and that any benevolence won’t be reduced, rather they look for it to be increased.”
Harrison said anyone 50 and older should be interested in what’s happening with Medicare because, whether they have retired yet or not, the issue is going to affect everyone.
“We had about 30 people turn out,” Pearce said. “It was a good representative group. After their concerns on policies, there were a lot of questions on process. People wanted to know about their particular case and how they would be affected. People just want to be reassured that the program is voluntary.”
He said concerns were also raised about the gap, or so-called doughnut hole, where recipients must be at the 150 percent rate of poverty or less — about $18,000 a year income for a couple — to receive a 100 percent benefit. He said once people realized the doughnut hole was an affordable way to pay for the program and that only those with higher incomes would receive reduced benefits, people became more comfortable.
Pearce also touted efforts this year by Congress to fund border area hospitals — which will receive $1 billion over the next four years — and an increase in Medicare reimbursement rates for rural area hospitals, which will now be paid at the same rate as urban hospitals.
Pearce also visited Fort Bayard on Monday where he presented members of the Historical Preservation Society with a copy of the legislation, signed by President Bush, declaring the site a national historic landmark.
“There was a sense of excitement,” Pearce said. “A lot of people came out, probably 30 to 40. Sen. (Jeff) Bingaman’s office was represented and it was a mutual effort on our parts, working together that created this.”
The historic landmark designation will now make the site and its facilities eligible for grants and other funding streams not previously available. Pearce said his office will continue to work with Fort Bayard to help channel funds to the various facilities, which include a national cemetery and a veteran’s hospital.
Thomas J. Baird can be reached at tbaird@scsun-news.com
