Mailbag: 11/24

Stop the pain, take action now on health care

 

Last summer I traveled throughout Wisconsin as AARP members met in community conversations concerning the state of health care reform.

Two impressions remain with me from those conversations.

The first is pain. The pain of seniors who are struggling to pay medical bills. The pain of seniors who are trying to stay healthy without health insurance. The pain of seniors who cannot afford the prescription drugs that they need.

The second is courage. There was a sense that health reform on the horizon could give us the courage to persevere through the pain. Our state office has more than 800 letters from Wisconsinites who speak of the pain and the courage of their lives. It is time for our political leaders to recognize the pain and to show political courage.

That is why AARP is working so hard to ensure older Americans are getting the health care coverage they deserve. After a lifetime of hard work, no one deserves to spend their later years struggling with medical bills or risking their health and life because they cannot afford a visit to the doctor or a needed drug.

After reading the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, AARP has endorsed these bills and we are pleased that the Affordable Health Care for America Act was recently passed by the House. These are a few reasons we endorsed the bill.

The coverage gap in Medicare Part D will begin to be filled immediately, and will close completely over time. The bill also allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs.

The House plan stops insurance companies from profiting on the backs of older Americans. It stops the practice of denying coverage because of age or pre-existing conditions and prohibits dropping people because they get sick.

There are measures in the plan that support preventive care and wellness, as well as primary and specialty care, chronic care coordination, and coverage for hospitalization, rehabilitation, emergency care, mental health, and prescription drugs. These are all things that will improve the health of our nation.

We will keep working with the House and Senate to ensure that our priorities are included in any final health care reform bill. We’ll use the strength of our nearly 40 million members against any proposal that would hurt rather than help Medicare or older Americans’ access to affordable, quality health care.

The time has come to stop the pain and take action for the common good.

Al Majkrzak, State president — AARP Wisconsin

 

 

Visitors enjoyed ‘The Music Man’

 

 

Greetings:

I felt compelled to take a few minutes of time to share my thoughts on the Baraboo Theatre Guild’s recent production of "The Music Man."

On Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, my family drove almost 100 miles one-way, to Baraboo, to see the musical. I have been to Baraboo many, many times and have always wanted to see the inside of the Al. Ringling Theatre.

Since "The Music Man" is one of our family favorites, we decided to take the opportunity and travel to Baraboo to see the show. We had called ahead for ticket information and the lady who assisted us was very polite and very helpful.

When we stepped into the theater for the first time, we were in awe. What a magnificent venue. You are so fortunate to have that treasure. What a perfect place to enjoy "The Music Man."

The musical was top notch. The performers and musicians were extremely talented, and the production people did a great job. We enjoyed the show immensely. I was so pleased to see my 10- and 17-year-old daughters thoroughly enjoying the performance. The girls were laughing with the funny parts and swaying to the music. They were totally absorbed in the show. We all know how important it is to get the youth interested in the arts.

My wife and I also enjoyed the show, and we both agreed that this was a night that our family would cherish for years to come.

Our first visit to the Ringling Theatre will not be our last. The only thing we will change next time is that we will bring our friends along, too.

Thank you for a fantastic night. We enjoyed a play about small-town America, in small-town America.

With much gratitude,

 

The Restock family: Bill, Ellen, Jennifer and Emily, Hartland

Congratulations to honor society

My wife and I would like to thank Mrs. Annemarie Schaefer, advisor, of the Baraboo High School’s National Honor Society, for inviting us to the Installation and Induction Ceremony at the Farm Kitchen Restaurant on Sunday, Nov. 15.

It was a most enjoyable evening watching such a fine group of our juniors and seniors participate in this program.

Installation of officers: President — Sarah Roth; Vice president — Lizabeth Remrey; Secretary — Anne Bonanno; and Treasurer — Maxton Finseth. The following students were inducted into the National Honor Society as new members: Seniors — Nicole Bottelson, Anthony M. Diaz, Graham Greve, Timothy J. Kaminski, Kristen McReath, Hannah Neuman, Kathryn Philabaum, and Emily Tierman. Juniors — Ryan Baxter, Kristy Berning, Jenna Bilz, Anna Marie Grogan, Kara Hakanson, Emerson K. Halbach, Madison Rose Hartup, Aleah Kuchta, Becky Neuman, Emily O’Rourke, Matthew Rabska, Philip Reasa, McCartney Renn, Matthew Rosene, Cassidy Sandoval, Amber Schneider, Brianne Schwarz, Taylor Shuster, and Jonathan Wise.

Best wishes to each of these young ladies and gentlemen. May their Pledge and Ideals: Character, Service, Leadership, and Scholarship, follow them throughout their lives.

 

Ed and Johann Mortimer, Baraboo