Dear Constituents,

Thank you for contacting me regarding Gov. Walker’s proposed budget cuts to SeniorCare. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me, and value your opinion on this important issue.

Gov. Walker’s proposed 2015-2017 budget involves a $15 million cut to SeniorCare, as well as a provision that would force seniors to apply for the Medicare part D prescription drug program. SeniorCare provides a low-cost, life-saving prescription drug program to our seniors, and forcing them to take part in Medicare part D would add an unnecessary and often unsurmountable burden to their finances. Not only does this choice create problems for seniors, but it creates an additional burden on taxpayers. Using the SeniorCare program, taxpayers save $9 million annually. Should this proposal pass, nearly 85,000 seniors will lose affordable care.

I am a strong supporter of Wisconsin’s seniors, and I believe they deserve better than this harmful budget proposal. As the budget is discussed, I will stand against cuts to SeniorCare.

However, budget proposals are not final at this point. The budget is currently being discussed by the Joint Finance Committee, who will hold public hearings to gauge Wisconsinites’ opinions on budget proposals. From there, the budget will have to pass the Assembly and Senate to become law. In this process, it is likely that some budget provisions will be amended. I will continue to advocate for changes to SeniorCare proposals, and when the budget reaches the Assembly I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding this or any other issue important to you.