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New Medicare Drug Benefit Healthy Step
Dr. David J. Demko, Editor-in-Chief
AgeVenture News Service - 11/26/03

Medicare's new prescription drug benefit is a "keeper". Okay, so it isn't perfect ... many believe the Medicare expansion does not go far enough. But, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step ... and this is definitely a step in the right direction.

The majority of the U.S. Senate voted in support of the bipartisan Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 – a measure President Bush has pushed hard to achieve. The bill was strongly endorsed by over 100 national organizations including AARP, AgeVenture News Service, National Council on Aging, Seniors Coalition and the 60 Plus Association.

Many who voted for the legislation are members of the Special Committee on Aging. Of its 21 members, 16 voted for the bill. The Senate as a whole passed the measure 54-44. According to Senate spokesmen, the poorest of the poor will receive the greatest assistance.

The legislation includes three important elements:

a voluntary prescription drug benefit for seniors,
support for beleaguered doctors and hospitals in rural states,
introduction of health-care savings accounts,
offers seniors new options to enroll in new Medicare-approved private plans.
According to data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that runs Medicare:

Within six months after the bill is signed those on Medicare will be eligible for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards, which will provide them with savings of between 10 and 25 percent. Low-income seniors who lack prescription coverage (including those with drug coverage under state-run Medicaid programs) will receive up to $600 in annual assistance, along with the discount card.
By January 2006 when the full benefit goes into effect, Medicare will pay 75% of the typical senior’s medicine costs up to $2,250 a year and 95% of their out-of-pocket expenses over $3,600 a year after the beneficiary takes care of a monthly premium ($35) and an annual deductible ($250).
Many lower-income seniors will pay no deductible and no monthly premium, and a co-pay as low as $1 for generics and $3 for brand name products.
Additionally, Medicare, instead of state-run Medicaid programs, will now assume the prescription drug costs of beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Before reaching the final vote, the Senate defeated two efforts to stop the bill from passing. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and Senator Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) both fought hard to kill the prescription drug program for the nation's elder. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.
Graphic Credit: U.S. Administration on Aging, Washington,DC.
Dr. David J. Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America. Submit reader comments to: demko@demko.com This column may be used by print and broadcast media with the following attribution:
"Dr. David J. Demko, AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com" Please see "Permissions" procedure on the AgeVenture HOME PAGE.

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Dr. David J. Demko, gerontologist and editor-in-chief
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com