A doctor recently praised the new Medicare prescription plan and criticized Democrats for suggesting that it’s inadequate. The doctor may know about medication, but he seems unfamiliar with the realities of this plan and the day-to-day struggles that seniors go through to fill their prescriptions.

I don’t have a medical degree, but life has provided a thorough education about the costs of medicine. Having suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years, I am simply not able to afford the price of my medication. My husband and I have considered divorcing so I might qualify for Medicaid and obtain real prescription coverage. With the help of some very kind and generous doctors, however, I’ve been able to avoid this step thus far.

Recall that the issue of prescription coverage for seniors was raised and promoted by Democrats. Without their continuous drum-beating about the vital need to deal with the outrageous costs that Americans pay for their drugs, nothing would have happened. But what did happen? The president devised a plan that would safeguard billions in pharmaceutical company profits and advertising budgets, while trickling pennies upon our seniors. The plan actually prevents the importation of cheaper, identical drugs from Canada or other countries, and includes additional measures to ensure that prices stay astronomically high. In reality, some seniors are actually paying more for medicine because of this Medicare plan. And the new system locks seniors into a particular plan and prevents them from switching for an extended period of time if they learn of better options.

Maybe that kind of plan seems laudable to wealthy physicians and pharmaceutical executives, but it sure doesn’t help many of the seniors I know. I’m pleased that Republicans no longer object to Medicare itself, and hope they will one day recognize the need for meaningful reform.

Eileen Dunbar

Hermon