Senior Journal Opinion

Friday, November 11, 2011

Medicare Will Cover Drugs, Since Both Political Parties Support Plans

By Tucker Sutherland, editor, Senior Journal

The good news for America's senior citizens is that some sort of drug coverage will be available to Medicare recipients in the future.

Under the Democrats' plan, seniors  could get basic Medicare drug coverage for about $25 a month to start. The government would pay half the bill for each prescription up to a $1,000 cap. That benefit cap would gradually rise to $2,500 as the program was phased in, along with the monthly premium retirees would pay, which would reach $50.

House Republicans have outlined a plan that would have the government help finance a new kind of private insurance providing drug coverage for retirees. Medicare would directly subsidize the cost of enrollment for those with the lowest incomes and the highest drug bills.

GOP lawmakers have not yet specified the cost to beneficiaries, but have promised to put up $40 billion from government surpluses.

Congressional Democrats propose legislation building on President Clinton's year-old proposal to add drug benefits to Medicare. Among changes, the Democrats added catastrophic protection that would pay all costs for prescriptions after a retiree spends about $3,000 out of pocket in any year.

Clinton had envisioned such a feature, earmarking $35 billion for it in his proposal, but left out specifics. So far, it's unclear whether $35 billion would be enough.

Republicans are contemplating how to include catastrophic protections in their legislation as well.

No matter which proposal wins, it will be better for senior citizens, many which are going without needed treatment because they cannot afford to pay for necessary drugs.

This change in the law is not coming about just because lawmakers recognize the need, but it is also because this is an election year and senior citizens carry a big stick at the ballot box. Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population and they are - by far - the most consistent voters. 

Adding drugs to Medicare is just one of the benefits senior citizens will gain in this election year. Look for the presidential candidates to continue to heap attention on seniors.