Second opinions on the Medicare drug plan

Re “Medicare Drug Program May Harm, Not Help, GOP,” Jan. 21

The Medicare drug plan may harm the GOP, but it should harm the 27 Democrats who voted for it. This legislation could not have passed without the support of some Democrats. In the House of Representatives, 16 Democrats supported Plan D, and in the Senate, 11 Democrats cast “yes” votes. Two of these Democrats are from California: Rep. Calvin Dooley from Hanford and Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

With Democratic legislators such as these, it is no wonder that Democrats are disillusioned with the people representing them in Congress.

SONIA APPELL

Laguna Woods

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Does anyone remember how the Republicans criticized Hillary Rodham Clinton during the Clinton administration for her proposal of what they deemed an overly complicated medical plan? I think that it’s quite ironic, considering the way things are turning out now. It has become clear that this new and complex Medicare drug program is performing so poorly that millions of our seniors are still trying to figure out how to join, if they are allowed to at all. The added benefits to the insurance companies that this plan provides make me further doubt the Bush administration’s sincerity in creating it. Is it really designed to help our elderly?

ARIEL BARZIDEH

Philadelphia

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Re “Pitfalls No Surprise in Drug Benefit Launch,” Jan. 22

For months there has been an unending series of attacks in the media on the Medicare prescription drug program. This is what is really happening: The drug plan is an expensive liberal program that would have had unending praise heaped upon it if it had been passed by a Democratic administration. Because it was passed by a Republican administration, however, the media must do all they can to denigrate it.

RICHARD SHOWSTACK

Newport Beach

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Re “Drug Plan Chaos -- Is It Cured?” Jan. 23

I am 73. I do not take any prescription medications. In this ill-conceived and ill-planned program, there is no place for those of us who, through either good luck or a healthy lifestyle, have no need for this plan at this time. Yet without the benefit of knowing what the future holds or what prescription drugs we may need, we are expected to join and be charged for something we do not use. Worst of all, there is no intelligent way to decide which provider we should choose. Sheer madness.

ELLEN WIEST

Palm Springs