http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-listening-crowd-s5.jpgThis week Senator Kathleen Vinehout writes about the many constituents who have offered solutions to Wisconsin’s troubles in 2016, while also encouraging folks to send new ideas for 2017.

Changes could be coming to SeniorCare that could be harmful to those people the program was created to serve. Governor Walker has tried in past budgets to eliminate the program.

MADISON - On Thursday, State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) echoed Senator Tim Carpenter’s concerns with the future of SeniorCare, a popular state program that helps over 90,000 Wisconsin residents 65 and older afford needed medication.

In a meeting with the new Secretary of Health Services, Senator Hansen said he was left with the impression that changes could be coming to SeniorCare that could be harmful to those people the program was created to serve.

“Given the past efforts by the Governor to eliminate it and my recent conversation with the Secretary, I am concerned what changes might be ahead for SeniorCare and for the people who rely on it to afford their needed medications,” said Hansen, who voted to create the program in 2001.

Hansen said he is also concerned that other programs aimed at helping seniors might face an uncertain future as well with a new administration in Washington that appears to support privatizing Medicare and Social Security.

“People voted for change in November and change is going to happen. Given the Governor’s past actions and current conversations in Washington, my concern is that we don’t lose valuable programs like SeniorCare and Medicare in the process.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/affordablecareact-s5.jpgFor the 3rd year in a row, Citizen Action calls on the Walker Administration to stop hiding Healthcare.gov insurance rates from consumers.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-right-s5.jpgRepublican politicians broke the law when they rigged elections in their favor and now they want to use the same broken system rather than standing up for Wisconsin citizens.

MADISON, WI - Today State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) asked Governor Scott Walker to use his influence on the national stage to help protect Wisconsin’s seniors.

“I have read your letter to President-Elect Donald Trump and I believe that there are areas of concern that you may have overlooked; namely, the protection of our most vulnerable senior citizens," Senator Carpenter stated in his letter to Governor Walker. "We have seen time and again attacks on SeniorCare, one of our most successful programs, and I believe that it is time to make this program permanent. I believe that it’s long overdue that you seek a federal waiver to make SeniorCare a permanent program in Wisconsin.”

Senator Carpenter noted that SeniorCare serves around 60,000 seniors and saves tens of millions of dollars for Wisconsin’s seniors and taxpayers. He called for an end to the sense of unease and undue stress for those who rely on SeniorCare.

“While your letter focuses on punitive measures, I believe we can also do some good and use your connections to President-Elect Donald Trump to ask for a permanent waiver for our SeniorCare program," Carpenter said. "Doing this could help bring certainty to those living with chronic illness, on fixed incomes, and with limited resources. These seniors deserve to know that the Wisconsin prescription drug program, that they count on, will be there for them and not subject to unnecessary unease every two years.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisc-dairy-farm-s5.jpgSen. Kathleen Vinehout hopes to find common ground on the issues of concern to Wisconsinites. For the residents of the 31st Senate District, most of were related to water. People were also frustrated with the negativity of the past election cycle.