[PhiKapMom]

You are so right about a lot of older women who survive on very little. They really need help and should have been helped years ago instead of the DemocRATs going around scaring them.

AARP has done a louzy job too IMO as they have fallen for the same scare tactics and reported them to their members as the truth. That to me is irresponsible on their part.

My Mom told AARP to take their magazine and keep it several years ago after they kept lying in articles.

[Miss Marple]

Medicare needs drastic overhauling. Anyone who has had to deal with them on behalf of elderly parents knows this. Furthermore, most people do not realize that once you get to be 65, you MUST use Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare, that is how the doctor must be paid. Period.

Many people who have not dealt with this program are unaware of the problems, including hospitals dumping elderly and sick people as soon as the approved time for their stay is up, regardless of how sick they are or whether there is someone to care for them at home. This is done because the hospitals cannot afford to keep people for free, and Medicare will not pay for extra days.

Plus, seven years ago when my dad was sick, there wasn't even a local office to complain to...you had to call Illinois long distance on your own dime (and you know how many older people are afraid to use long distance because of the expense) and then talk to a barely intelligible, rude, bureaucrat to try and get a problem resolved.

I would like to see Senator Frist establish an investigatory commission on this whole situation.