Wisconsin Democrats say they've gathered 13,500 signatures to maintain existing SeniorCare program

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin Democrats say they've gathered 13,500 petition signatures from people who support maintaining the existing SeniorCare program.

Rep. Andy Jorgensen, a Milton Democrat, said the lawmakers planned to present boxes of petitions to Republican Senate and Assembly leaders Thursday.

Gov. Scott Walker proposed requiring seniors in the state to enroll in Medicare Part D before applying for the state's low-cost prescription drug program in his budget. But Rep. John Nygren, the Republican co-chairman of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, told the Associated Press last week that Walker's proposal was effectively dead.

Nygren did say the program could face changes, however. SeniorCare members pay $30 a year, as well as copays of $5 for generic drugs and $15 for brand name drugs.