WISCREPORT.COM - State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) announced that as part of a statewide effort to encourage Bush Administration Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt to extend Wisconsin’s SeniorCare waiver, he will provide the latest information on SeniorCare and how people can contact the administration to show their support for the popular prescription drug program for seniors. On his legislative website, Erpenbach has created Save SeniorCare.

“It is important that everyone make their voices heard on this issue. The information found on my website will help provide the tools to do that,” said Erpenbach.

Erpenbach’s website will have a link to information about SeniorCare, the latest news, how citizens can help save SeniorCare, and a link to “SeniorCare Watch”, which Senator Judy Robson, (D-Beloit), has put together.

According to Senator Robson, “SeniorCare Watch” will include updates on the work of advocates and others to save SeniorCare, the latest reports and editorials from newspapers across Wisconsin that have spoken in unison in support of the program, and contact information for those interested in joining the growing ranks of those petitioning the federal government.

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush encouraged states to come up with innovative ways to make health care more affordable to its citizens. Here in Wisconsin, SeniorCare is doing just that. We are saving the federal government money. The average annual federal subsidy for a SeniorCare waiver participant is $617, about half the cost the federal government spends to subsidize a Medicare Part D participant.

On his website, you can also find Erpenbach’s letter to Secretary Leavitt, encouraging him to allow Wisconsin to keep SeniorCare. The web address is: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen27/news/