15
Nov
2005
Now that the enrollment period for the new private Part D drug plans is upon us, Medicare recipients have clear evidence that "D" stands for "disaster."
Reliance on private drug plans and other measures contained in the 2003 Medicare amendments is a disaster for Medicare recipients. Here in Illinois, seniors and people with disabilities face a confusing maze of more than 130 private drug-insurance plans. For most, what savings the Part D plans provide in 2006 will quickly disappear due to skyrocketing drug costs and annual increases in the coverage gap, deductible, and other out-of-pocket costs.
The private Part D drug plans are a disaster for all American taxpayers. By prohibiting Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices and subsidizing private insurance profits, Part D wastes nearly 50 cents of every dollar spent.
But there is a better way. The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans believes we can easily enact a real drug benefit that provides meaningful coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries and controls costs by negotiating drug prices just like the Veterans Administration does every day.
When asked what they want, our members say, "I want my Medicare to help with my drug costs. I want my doctor to decide what medicine I take." Providing a drug benefit under the existing Medicare program would provide seniors the help they need and be a better deal for taxpayers. We should make it so.
Steve Pittman
Executive Director
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans
Chicago
Correction
In last week's review of Playcrafters' It's a Wonderful Life, the performer portraying Mr. Welch was misidentified. At Friday night's reviewed performance, Greg Bouljon substituted for Doug Bucknell following the latter actor's back injury. Reader Arts Editor Mike Schulz wishes Bucknell well, apologizes to Bouljon, and applauds him all the more for doing so fine a job on such short notice.
The private Part D drug plans are a disaster for all American taxpayers. By prohibiting Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices and subsidizing private insurance profits, Part D wastes nearly 50 cents of every dollar spent.
But there is a better way. The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans believes we can easily enact a real drug benefit that provides meaningful coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries and controls costs by negotiating drug prices just like the Veterans Administration does every day.
When asked what they want, our members say, "I want my Medicare to help with my drug costs. I want my doctor to decide what medicine I take." Providing a drug benefit under the existing Medicare program would provide seniors the help they need and be a better deal for taxpayers. We should make it so.
Steve Pittman
Executive Director
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans
Chicago
Correction
In last week's review of Playcrafters' It's a Wonderful Life, the performer portraying Mr. Welch was misidentified. At Friday night's reviewed performance, Greg Bouljon substituted for Doug Bucknell following the latter actor's back injury. Reader Arts Editor Mike Schulz wishes Bucknell well, apologizes to Bouljon, and applauds him all the more for doing so fine a job on such short notice.
