Medicare Road Show Picks Up Steam in the Midwest
April 13, 2004
Des Moines, Iowa  The Medicare Road Show paid a visit to Des Moines on April 13, and over 200 seniors filled the First United Methodist Church eager to learn about the pros and cons of the new law.
Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack was joined by Governor Vilsack, Congressman Boswell, and Deb Stehr, Vice President  of the Iowa Citizen Action Network. Later, a senior couple, Bill and Lois, addressed the crowd and shared their stories about the difficulties of obtaining prescription drugs at a reasonable price. The event also included a viewing of the educational video hosted by Walter Cronkite, and the audience actually gasped when the video touched on the law's restrictive assets test. One senior said, "The woman in the video is right-the needs of seniors are being ignored."  Attendees asked many questions, mostly wanting to know what to do next. The panel encouraged seniors to get involved locally by volunteering, writing letters, and spreading the word about the law. | 
