NASW Social Action/Social Justice Council

"Working to ensure quality, affordable health care for all Californians." AARP's radio slogan reminds me of Cynthia Smith, a client whom I met a few years ago when I was working in caregiver support. (I've appropriately concealed her real name.) Her dilemma will sound familiar; she and her mother had hit the "doughnut hole" in their Medicare Part D plan, triggering a drastic jump in the price of their medications; The cost of their drugs had pressed Cynthia into cutting prescribed dosages in half and paring down her purchases of other essential items.