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FOR   IMMEDIATE   RELEASE                                                                                         December 19, 2011                              
Contact Representative john nygren, (888) 534-0089
 
Nygren Supports SeniorCare Extension
 
Marinette – State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) supports the state’s request for the Obama administration to extend the popular SeniorCare prescription drug program waiver.  Since 2002, the SeniorCare program has been approved to provide affordable and life saving drugs to our state’s seniors.  SeniorCare has been very successful at reducing drug costs and remains very popular among Wisconsin seniors.
 
“In these hard economic times it would not be responsible to end such a vital program,” Nygren said.  “Our seniors depend on this program to receive their necessary prescriptions and it saves them money at a time when budgets are tight.”
 
In 2007 and 2009, Representative Nygren joined bipartisan groups of lawmakers in support of extending the waiver which now is scheduled to end on December 31, 2012.  The current waiver extension request by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services would extend the waiver to 2014.
 
There is no denying the cost-savings associated with SeniorCare.  The average annual federal cost per SeniorCare member in 2010 was $509.  That is less than half of the $1,484 it costs the federal government to subsidize individuals enrolled in the Medicare Part D program.
 
“SeniorCare has been a widely successful program at both saving money and most importantly providing our seniors with the drugs they need,” Nygren said.  “Our federal legislators and other states should look at the success of this program and transfer that to other prescription drug programs.  I encourage the Obama administration to extend the SeniorCare waiver.”
 
Seniors looking for information regarding SeniorCare or how to apply can call 1-800-657-2038
 
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