Medicare Drug Coverage Battle Rages On

Importance of Drug Bill Questioned

USA Today Thinks Medicare Drug Bill Not Pressing Need

Oct. 14, 2003 – An editorial by USA Today says Congress is focused on Medicare reform because 38.5 million senior citizens have a powerful political voice, but it is not nearly as critical as the need for assistance to 43.6 million people who lacked health insurance for all of last year.

William D. Novelli, AARP CEO, Wrote the Opposition

“We can't turn away from the immediate opportunity and pressing need to add prescription drug coverage in Medicare. At the same time, we must also face up to the challenge of finding ways to ensure that every American has access to affordable health insurance. It is the ultimate false choice to pit one deserving cause against the other.”

>Read both opinions – Click Here

New York AARP Members Go to Washington for Prescription Drug Rally

ALBANY, N.Y., Sept. 5, 03-- Today, hundreds of AARP members from around New York State traveled to Washington, D.C., to join more than 1,000 fellow members at a Medicare prescription drug rally. More... 9/05/05*

New Survey

Majority Of Seniors Want Medicare Drug Bill This Year,
But Worry They Will Still Pay Too Much Even If Congress Acts

• Seven In 10 Seniors Don’t Know About Differences In House And Senate Medicare Rx Drug Bills

• Majority of Public Support Proposals to Buy Rx Drugs from Canada

Sept. 4, 2003, Washington, DC-- A new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health finds that a majority of seniors (54%) want Congress to enact legislation this year to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. However, more than three quarters (76%) of seniors are worried, including 52% who are “very worried,” that they will still pay too large a share of their drug bills if legislation becomes law. More... 9/4/03*

Medicare Bill Beginning to Look Doubtful

Sept. 3, 2003 - A Medicare prescription drug bill, which once seemed a certainty, is now looking increasingly doubtful as the Bush budget spirals out of control. The U.S. Senate returned from their summer recess yesterday and the House is back today, but they find the staff members left behind to negotiate a compromise on the Medicare bills passed by the House and Senate have made little progress. More... 9/3/03*

Medicare Prescription Drug Update Page Started by Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman

Aug. 27, 2003 - Sen. Larry Craig, chair of the Special Committee of Aging of the U.S. Senate, has launched a Medicare update page on the committee's Website. He promises information and links that will keep seniors updated on what is happening as the Senate and House of Representatives work on finalizing a Medicare prescription drug benefit. To go to the page click here.

Experts Review Options for Prescription Savings Between Now and Medicare Reform

Washington, D.C., July 31, 2003 - A group of expert panelists agreed Tuesday that savings on prescription drugs are a crucial issue for seniors waiting for Medicare reform and others without adequate prescription drug coverage. The group also discussed options that are currently available. And collectively agreed that the pharmaceutical industry must find ways of controlling costs. Click 7/31/03*

Medicare Conferees Asked to Protect Health Centers

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2003 -- More than 100 House lawmakers have sent a bi-partisan letter to House-Senate Medicare Conferees, asking that key health center provisions remain in the final Medicare Rx bill that is hammered out in the conference. Spearheaded by Representatives Jerry Weller (R-IL) and John Lewis (D-GA), the letter presses conferees to maintain three essential provisions affecting health centers in the final Medicare Reform and Prescription Drug legislation currently being negotiated in the conference. Click 7/28/03*

Medicare Bills Will Cut Millions from Cancer Treatment

July 15, 2003 - Hundreds of oncologists, cancer patients and supporters will head to the U.S. Congress tomorrow to warn lawmakers their Medicare prescription drug plans may threaten seniors' access to cancer treatments. Click 7/15/03 Fresno Bee

Study Says Bills Will Require 53% of Doctors to Limit Cancer Care - Click 7/15/03 Report of American Society of Clinical Oncology

Seniors wary of Medicare reforms
Record-Searchlight, CA
Quick Compromise Not Likely for Medicare Bills

June 28, 2003 - The top Republican leaders in Congress dampened talk of a quick compromise on legislation to remake Medicare on Friday as they confronted issues ranging from the details of a prescription drug benefit to proposed free market measures and a dispute over lower-cost generic drugs. Click 6/28/03

Battle Begins Between Two Bills

Senate, House Approve Medicare Revisions With Drugs

The U.S. Senate and House approved sweeping overhauls of Medicare, the health care plan for elderly Americans -- the first revamping of the program in 40 years. The very different bills will now by the focus of compromise. Click 6/27/03