I have never really known that much about how our government works. Not really.  I have watched West Wing, I knew the basics. Like an average Seattleite, I’d make jokes about our President, light hearted jokes, usually over drinks. But after leaving the bar my thoughts would wander off to somewhere else. 

After my first brain surgery failed in 2001 (I ended up having 3) I was put on Medicaid/ Medicare/ DSHS.  (Which I was not at all happy about, but that’s another story that my parents can tell you sometime).  I began getting a $537 check and a $100 food card per month. But the real reason I signed on was to pay for my doctors appointments and medication. Both completely covered and without any co-payments.  (Which is why I stole the song title for this letter, I always just assumed it would be there... until it was taken away)

As you may know, many changes have been made recently to Medicare and Medicaid. (To find out more look down below)  I just went and filled my first prescription since the change occurred on Jan, 1, 2006.  I ended up paying approximately $20 for one prescription of drugs. And that was just a generic drug.  Right now I take 6 or 7 different medications (most of them are brand name and much, much more costly) and they are always changing. I’m not sure what a brand name drug will cost or what will happen when I go to my first doctor appointment. Will he still accept me?  Will I have to pay to meet with him now? How much will it be?  (It is exciting, but I think I’d prefer a game or sport to this kind of excitement)  

One thing you can do to help is call President Bush @ (202) 456-1111 and tell him to veto the Budget Reconciliation Bill that just passed (though barely) in Congress. And tell him that making his first veto would help prove that he is working for the American people and not just staying on the path of his party.  (This should take only one or two minutes at the longest yet go much, much, further)  And then forward this to all your friends and relatives.   

I am very, very, thankful to all of you,

Joshua K. Simpson

PS The following is an e-mail I received from the Epilepsy Foundation:

Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes the House

Thank you for all your efforts these past few weeks to urge Congress to defeat the budget reconciliation bill. As you know, this legislation proposes deep and harmful cuts to programs that are essential to people with chronic illnesses, disabilities and low-income. Programs that will be adversely impacted include Medicaid, federal student loan programs, food stamp and school lunch programs.

You may recall that the House and the Senate passed this measure last month, but due to a procedural technicality; the bill was kicked back to the House for a re-vote. The advocacy community took this small window of opportunity to try to persuade some of the moderate members not to vote in favor of the bill.

On February 1, 2006, the House narrowly passed the budget reconciliation bill, by a vote of 216-214. Four moderate republicans who originally voted in favor of the bill, voted against the bill this time around. They were Reps. John Sweeney of New York, Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, Jim Ramstad of Minnesota and Rob Simmons of Connecticut. These four Members changed their votes as a direct result of disability advocates speaking with them and helping them to understand the consequences of the passage of this legislation.

The budget reconciliation bill will cut $40 billion from vital programs over five years. The bill’s impact on the deficit is likely to be negligible, slicing less than one half of 1 percent from the $14.3 trillion in federal spending over five years. The President is expected to sign this measure shortly.

We encourage you to continue to stay active in speaking up and speaking out on important issues for people with epilepsy.