Dick Durbin taking up collection for assisted living for colleague

[Holly_Hobby]

Lawmakers raise funds for care of former colleague
By Reid Wilson
Posted: 08/11/09 10:30 AM

Members of Congress are rallying around one of their own, collecting donations to help former Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.) as he battles Parkinson's Disease. Since retiring from Congress in 2006, Evans has received round-the-clock care at an assisted living facility near his hometown of Rock Island. But money is tight, and two of Evans's longtime colleagues are working to raise money to keep him in the best care.

Those members, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.), wrote to colleagues seeking contributions to an account dedicated to Evans's needs.

"Currently, Lane continues to battle the progression of this horrible disease with the help of 24 hour nursing care provided at an assisted living facility near his hometown. It is care that has allowed him to enjoy his retirement with a decent quality of life," Durbin and Hare wrote.

"Unfortunately, Lane’s financial situation currently puts this care at risk. Mounting medical bills and the high-cost of constant care threaten the assistance he must have to deal with this debilitating illness. Unless funding is raised quickly to help supplement his current retirement income, he will be unable to maintain the level of care he both needs and deserves. Lane has always fought for us. Now it is time to return the favor."

...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lawmakers-raise-funds-for-care-of-former-colleague-2009-08-11.html

[otohara]

1. A Teachable Moment

Dick!

[Holly_Hobby]

2. +1 n/t

[ejpoeta]

3. imagine if we had a healthcare system that would cover the needs of people

even in assisted living situations... that way people don't have to have fundraisers and basically beg for help.

[valerief]

4. I guess *he* deserves help but people with no insurance don't deserve

the public option from Durbin. They can just rot among poor people who can't afford to take up a collection for a better quality of life.

[Itchinjim]

6. You should take the time to educate yourself about Lane Evans.

Durban maybe a choad, but Lane Evans was and is a progressive Democrat who fought the good fight for us union folk in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Lane is also a Marine who has worked tirelessly for veterans issues. Lane is one of the good guys and I count myself fortunate and honored to know the man. Parkinson's has robbed us of a very potent weapon against the right.

[valerief]

7. My comment was about Durbin, not Lane Evans. You should take the time

to read more slowly and not assume I know nothing about Lane Evans.

[Itchinjim]

8. I took time to read it "slowly" and several times at that. Still it came across as

dismissive of Lane, his illness, and his work in Congress. Maybe you should post a bit more clearly and lay off the snark.

[SoCalNative]

5. Oh the irony

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Well, jeez, why don't they just PASS A BILL to deal with it? nt

[4_TN_TITANS]

10. Benefits and fund raisers for people

who can't afford medical bills or don't have insurance are more common than tent revivals here in Tennessee these days. Welcome to the club, Dick.