Thursday, July 23, 2009
1:57 PM
Feingold lobbies White House budget director on SeniorCare
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, said today he urged the president's budget director to quickly approve a waiver application to extend Wisconsin's SeniorCare program for another two years.
The Bush Administration seemed poised to fold Wisconsin seniors on the program into the federal prescription drug program two years ago before lawmakers secured a waiver that expires on Dec. 31.
Feingold said in a statement that he reiterated in his phone conversation with Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag the program's success and popularity while saving the government an estimated $55 million over five years. He also reminded Orszag of President Obama's positive comments about SeniorCare while on the campaign trail.
"Director Orszag was receptive, and I will continue to work with Governor Doyle, Senator Kohl and other Wisconsin officials to ensure this successful program continues," Feingold said in the statement.