In Focus: Real Medicare RX Now
Fix Bush's Part D
Medicare Part D is a special interest law, written by and for the drug and insurance companies, that prohibits Medicare from negotiating for the lowest possible drug prices for seniors. This plan actually prohibits Medicare from negotiating with drug companies to get better prices for seniors.
The plan is costly, confusing, and corrupt -- it denies seniors the choice of a prescription drug benefit directly from Medicare. Part D must be fixed now to put seniors first, not drug and insurance companies.
An Air of Discontent
A March 6th poll by the Washington Post and ABC found that 58 percent of people disapprove of the way Bush is handling prescription drug benefits for the elderly while only 32 percent approve. His disapproval rating on this issue has shot up seven points in less then two months.
Why Bush's Part D is Corrupt
- This plan actually prohibits Medicare from negotiating with drug companies to get better prices for seniors, which has resulted in prices under Part D that are at least fifty percent higher than those negotiated by the Veterans Administration for veterans.
- The plan provides no coverage for annual costs between two thousand two hundred fifty dollars and five thousand one hundred dollars--called the "donut hole"--so millions of seniors will be denied coverage this fall while they still pay monthly premiums.
- Insurance companies are allowed to take drugs off their approved coverage list during the year, but patients are locked in and cannot change plans until the next year.
- The plan is costly, complicated, and confusing (too many plans, formularies, co-pays and deductibles)
- Provides billions in handouts to drug and insurance companies
- It does not provide a simple and less expensive benefit for seniors directly from Medicare.
How to Fix Bush's Part D
- Reduce the cost of prescription drugs by requiring Medicare to negotiate lower prices from drug companies, just as the Veterans Administration does for veterans
- Close the "donut hole" referring to the gap in coverage for annual costs between two thousand two hundred fifty dollars and five thousand one hundred dollars which will result in millions of seniors being denied coverage each year while they still pay monthly premiums
- Allow seniors the choice of obtaining their prescription drug plan directly from Medicare--instead of from a private insurance company.
- Prohibit insurance company bureaucrats from taking medications off their list of approved drugs during the period when someone is not allowed to move to another plan
- Eliminate the penalty for failing to sign up for a plan until Bush's Part D is fixed