Statement on CMS Release of Final Regulations on Medicare Drug Benefit

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 23 Jan 2005 - 7:00 PDT

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Below is a statement from Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) release of final regulations to implement the 2006 Medicare Drug Benefit.

We are encouraged that the Administration recognizes the grave risk 6.4 million poor Americans face when their prescription drug coverage under Medicaid ends on December 31, 2005. It is a train wreck waiting to happen.

We are dismayed that the regulations issued today do little to avoid the humanitarian debacle that faces the poorest and sickest Americans, many of whom will lose their access to the medicines they need. The systems are not, and will not be in place to maintain consistent drug coverage for the most vulnerable Americans.

The Administration's steps to move up enrollment of the poorest older and disabled Americans into Medicare drug coverage are welcome but inadequate. They do not address the reality: Medicaid must temporarily continue for people whose Medicare drug plans cannot be verified at the time they buy their medications. CMS must require Medicare drug plans to offer open formularies or honor Medicaid program formularies and pharmacy network agreements through 2006.

Otherwise, millions of Americans in great need will face needless illness, suffering and a greater risk of premature death. They will be among the men and women left worse off by the 2003 Medicare legislation.

The 1,162 pages of regulations cover hundreds of issues and require careful review. We are pleased with some of the changes we have seen and disappointed by the absence of others.

One point jumps out: this failure by the Administration to address realistically the human misery that faces poor Americans next January will threaten the health of millions of men and women, and will haunt all people who recognize the moral value of health care for our neighbors in need.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care.

Contact:
Deane Beebe, Communications Director
212-204-6219
Robert Hayes, President
917-583-6620
1460 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
212-869-3850
http://www.medicarerights.org

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