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HHS Begins PR Campaign to Explain Medicare Drug
Program Problems
Jan. 20, 2006 – A public relations campaign
targeting senior citizens struggling to get their prescription drugs in
the new Medicare Part D kicks off today with Health and Human Services
Secretary Mike Leavitt holding a teleconference "to review steps taken
to ease Medicare prescription drug coverage for Pennsylvanians."
The event is scheduled today at 12:10 p.m. (EST).
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This is reportedly the beginning of a three-day
effort targeting nine cities, trying to avoid another disaster for the
Bush administration.
The new program that began on January 1 has been
besieged with problems and at least 20 states have been picking up the
tabs for seniors – primarily low-income elderly - who are unable to get
their prescriptions paid for through the Medicare drug plans. Many of
the states say they expect to be reimbursed by the government but
Medicare says they have no authority to reimburse these states.
Despite claims by Leavitt that enrollment in the
program is right on target, the numbers of those enrolled primarily
reflect those automatically enrolled through government programs or
private retiree insurance plans.
A report released yesterday, the SeniorTrax survey
by DSS Research, said the less than half of seniors eligible for
voluntary enrollment said they will join a drug plan.
"President Bush's disastrous prescription drug plan
is a perfect example of why the Republican culture of corruption is so
dangerous to Americans," said Democratic National Committee Spokesman
Luis Miranda.
"Because the President and the Republicans in
Washington let drug company lobbyists write the prescription drug bill,
tens of thousands of Americans can't get the drugs they need, and
taxpayers in at least 20 states have been forced to pay for the Bush
Administration's failures.
"The Bush Administration's mismanagement of the
prescription drug program is a disgrace. When Secretary Leavitt takes
his Medicare malfunction tour to Sacramento today, he should explain to
the people of California why the Bush Administration once again put the
interests of the President's special interest friends ahead of the
American people.
"The American people deserve better. Democrats
believe the only way we can serve the American people is with honest
leadership and open government."
AARP CEO Bill Novelli issued the following
statement on the Medicare prescription drug plan implementation:
"Clearly, there are problems with the
implementation of the new Medicare prescription drug plan. We take these
problems very seriously, said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in a statement last
week.
AARP endorsed the Medicare drug program, when it
was proposed by President Bush. The organization is also one of the
major marketers of Medicare-approved insurance programs, including a
drug plan.
"The bottom line is that some people are not
getting the drugs they need. This is unacceptable. If an individual has
proof of eligibility, there is absolutely no reason they should pay more
than required or leave a pharmacy empty-handed," the Novelli statement
said.
"We must all do what it takes to solve the problem.
"AARP is in constant contact with Medicare
administrators, plan providers, pharmacies and others. Our own endorsed
plan is working to resolve problems and improve customer experience.
AARP is also working to inform members and the public to bring any and
all enrollment documentation, government-issued Medicare card and photo
identification to the pharmacy. If individuals are having trouble at one
pharmacy we are recommending they try another, given that some
pharmacies are handling filling prescriptions differently.
"With the Medicare prescription drug program,
millions of Americans now have the opportunity to access affordable
prescription drugs. Providing a prescription drug benefit is the most
significant change to Medicare in its 40 year history. More than one
million prescriptions are being filled every day and people are
realizing savings."
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