With the current extension for Wisconsin's SeniorCare program set to expire in June of next year, Governor Jim Doyle is sending a formal request to federal officials to allow it to continue. Doyle says he will not rest until the Bush administration understands that SeniorCare works for the state and that it is better than the federal Medicare Part D program.
Speaking Monday morning at Madison's Senior Center, the governor pointed to the strong success of SeniorCare compared to Part D. Doyle says in the last year enrollment has surged 26%, from when seniors were forced to choose between SeniorCare and Part D. Doyle says the state can save millions by keeping SeniorCare alive. He says killing SeniorCare would force 110,000 Wisconsinites into Part D, costing state and federal taxpayers an extra $700 million.