LABRADOR: Don't believe his letter

I just received a letter from U.S. Representative Raul Labrador, his “Truth about your Medicare letter.” He would have us believe the Ryan plan would contain no changes for current Idaho seniors age 55 or older. What about the return of the “Donut Hole” and the loss of no deductible, no co-pay preventive care?

In Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, a U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce report says Ryan’s plan would increase prescription drug costs for 9,300 Medicare beneficiaries who enter the Part D donut hole, forcing them to pay an extra $92 million for drugs over the next decade and eliminate new preventive care benefits for 121,000 Medicare beneficiaries.

Labrador also states that future Idaho Seniors age 54 and younger would be offered the same type of plan offered to Congress. That plan has a monthly premium of $1,327.80 for a family. Who can afford that premium now, and what happens when costs rise beyond the Ryan plan limits?

Congressmen also receive health-care services from the Office of the Attending Physician for an annual fee, currently $563. Services include routine exams, consultations and certain diagnostic tests. Additionally, members of Congress may receive medical and emergency dental care at military treatment facilities. Will we have both those perks in the plan as well?

Raul Labrador should be ashamed for trying to dupe the citizens of Idaho with this counterfeit piece of political claptrap. What’s next, we get to guess which cup the Health-care ball is under?

BEN THEARD

Coeur d’Alene