Statement On Enrollment In Medicare Private Drug Plans, Medicare Rights Center

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 21 Apr 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Below is a comment from Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' most recent Medicare private drug plan enrollment figures.

"Every few weeks the Administration lowers its standard for success.

"This should not be a political war of spin. It is about basic human need - health and survival. For this $1.3 trillion program, the Administration now reveals that less than 20 percent of people with Medicare have new drug coverage. (That is 8.1 million out of 43 million.) Others have somewhat better coverage, others are worse off.

"Tragically, over 80 percent of America's impoverished seniors eligible for low cost, comprehensive coverage have not been enrolled. (Just 1.6 million of 8.2 million eligible Americans have been approved for the low-income subsidy.)

"Any honest analysis will lead to reform and improvement: there should be a straight-forward, comprehensive and affordable Medicare drug benefit. We do not have that now."

The Medicare Rights Center is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare.

1460 Broadway
New York
NY 10036
212-869-3850
http://www.medicarerights.org

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