The Battle for Prescription Drugs in Medicare
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Help With Decisions You Must Make About Medicare |
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Want detailed information on Medicare and new bill? Try this Website by the National Academy of Social Insurance: All About Medicare: Click Here |
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• National Council on Aging has helpful Web page on the new Medicare bill - Go to site... • The Kaiser Family Foundation has an excellent Website on the Medicare debate as part of their kaisernetwork.org. Go to site...
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Should AARP Have Endorsed the Medicare Drug Bill? By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com Nov. 18, 2003 - The Medicare drug bill, described as the “compromise agreement,” looks like it is better than nothing, but the endorsement of the plan by the AARP is making me take a second look. More... 11/18/03* |
Medicare Bill Now Law
On Dec. 8, 2003 , President Bush signed the Medicare Reform bill, which makes sweeping changes in the way Medicare will serve senior citizens.
Medicare has begun putting information on the new bill, called the Medicare Modernization Act, on their site at http://www.medicare.gov/.
Stories below in chronological provide you information on the bill and actions that took place, beginning on Nov. 14.
The Senior Slant
Medicare Has Changed; Seniors Need to Make a Decision
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
March 9, 2004
Like it are not, Medicare has changed and in a matter of weeks senior citizens will face a decision about joining a drug discount plan sponsored by Medicare.
Read this column on what you need to know about your Medicare drug discount card. - Click Here
Walter Cronkite Joins Opposition to New Medicare Law
Feb. 25, 2004 - Families USA, a group opposed to the new Medicare law, has kicked off their "Medicare Roadshow," which features a video by famous newsman Walter Cronkite. > Click here to their plan for the roadshow.
> Click here to view the Cronkite video
> Opponents of the new Medicare prescription drug law have recruited Walter Cronkite for a campaign that highlights what they see as the law's shortcomings. More… AP/USA Today
SHIPS Need More Funding to Handle Medicare Info Requests
Feb. 13, 2004 - The Medicare Rights Center publishes a weekly newsletter, Asclepios, which this week calls for increased funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), which will be the primary source of consumer information about the new Medicare reform bill. Read their opinion. Click Here 2/13/04*
New Medicare Law Creates Discount Drug Card Confusion
New York, NY, Feb. 11, 2004 - – The Medicare Rights Center (MRC), in an attempt to address concerns about the new Medicare discount drug card program, has compiled a series of questions and answers entitled, 76 Things You Should Know About the New Medicare Drug Discount Cards, available on its web site. More... 2/11/04*
AARP Now Says Medicare Bill Not All It Should Be
Jan. 16, 2004 - AARP CEO William D. Novelli issued a press statement yesterday saying the organization is not totally satisfied with the Medicare reform bill they helped pass and listed changes he wants. Included are legalization of buying drugs from Canada and authorization for the HHS Secretary to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. He also called on pharmaceutical companies to limit price increase to the rate of inflation. Read his statement – Click Here 1/16/04*
The ABCs and D of Medicare
Jan. 14, 2004 - Huge changes have been made to the nation's Medicare program, but many Americans -- even among the elderly -- know and understand little about the giant program that's been a major part of the American health scene for almost four decades. This report is a good simple explanation of the new plan. More... 1/14/04 Bankrate.com
Dec. 22, 2003:
- Medicare Rx Plan Confuses Seniors - CBS News
Dec. 19, 2003:
Seniors Bemoan Change in Medicare Rule AP
Dec. 18, 2003:
The Troubling Medicare Legislation
- Revised 12/8/03
This analysis examines the new Medicare prescription drug law and finds
that it raises both fiscal policy and health policy concerns. - Center for
Budget and Policy Priorities
HTML |
8pp. PDF
Dec. 16, 2003:
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The new Medicare: What you should do next
Knoxville News Sentinel, TN
Dec. 15, 2003:
Health Savings Plan Should be Explored
• New Feature of Medicare Bill May Help Some
Dec. 15, 2003 - The raucous debate over the Medicare bill overshadowed a provision that could change how -- and how much -- some Americans pay for health care. The Medicare reform bill will allow employers to create tax-exempt "Health Savings Accounts" that workers will be able to tap to pay medical expenses. More... 12/15/03 More... San Jose Mercury News
• Medicare reform opens up health savings accounts to all
Dec. 15, 2003 - Republicans hope the new product will reverse the growth in Medicare spending, while Democrats claim it's just another tax shelter for the rich. More... 12/15/03 AMA News
Calls Medicare Bill Step to “Economic Suicide”
“Medicare has become so large…it’s literally destroying the social and economic structure…”
Dec. 14, 2003 - In his weekly business column in the Dallas Morning News, Scott Burns attacks AARP for supporting the Medicare reform bill – not because he wanted better benefits for senior citizens, but because he thinks the cost of this new program is “economic suicide” for the United States. More... 12/14/03*
- Bush Leads List of "03 Accomplishments with Medicare bill - Text, Radio address, White House
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Frist Says Medicare Bill Had Key Conservative Principles
The Chattanoogan, TN
Get Ready to Make a Critical Decision
Feds Say Medicare Drug Cards Ready by June
Enrollment to begin in spring
Dec. 11, 2003 – The new Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program, created in the new Medicare reform bill, will start accepting enrollment in the spring and cards will be ready by June, according to an announcement yesterday by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. More... 12/11/03*
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Millions Expected To Get Drug Discount Card
WTOL, OH
Dec. 10, 2003:
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Medicare Law Gives Bonuses for Good Care
Fredericksburg.com, VA
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Medicare Benefits Kick In Early For HMOs
Boston Channel.com, MA
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Seniors face array of choices in new Medicare program
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ
Dec.
9, 2003
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Seniors Face Choices in New Medicare Law
KATV, AR
Whitehouse.gov (press release)
Big Surprise in Medicare Bill:
Medigap Insurance to be Prohibited
Dec. 7, 2003 - With President Bush set to sign the Medicare Bill on Monday, new problems with the bill emerged over the weekend. A little-noticed provision of the legislation prohibits the sale of any Medigap policy that would help pay drug costs after Jan. 1, 2006, when the new Medicare drug benefit becomes available. More... 12/07/03
Dec. 4, 2003:
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Medicare Expansion and the Mirage of Fiscal Responsibility
CATO Institute, DC
Dec. 3, 2003:
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Boos for Bush's Medicare Plan
Newsday
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NJ
Democrats very critical of Medicare bill
Asbury Park Press, NJ
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AARP
Georgia Shows How Medicare Drug Benefit Will Help Georgia ...
Yahoo News (press release)
Dec. 1, 2003:
- Why AARP Said “Yes” to Medicare Prescription Drug Bill
Dec. 2, 2003:
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Bush Set to Sign New Medicare Legislation
AP
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Who will pay for $400 billion Medicare plan?
The Coloradoan, CO
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Dems will continue Medicare bill objections and look bad
Pasadena Star-News, CA
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Perspective: Demos want another shot at Medicare
Montana Forum, Montana
Nov. 30, 2003:
- POLITICS AND THE ELDERLY: Down Goes Their Clout - Newsday
- Florida Elderly Feel Let Down by Drug Benefit - Ocala Star-Banner, FL
Questions Swirl Around Drug Bill
Nov. 29, 2003 - Nelson, 62, pays more than $100 a month for prescription drugs that help her with diabetes and high-blood pressure. With all the publicity about new and expanded drug coverage that the state and federal governments are making available to senior citizens, she is looking for the program that will save her the most money. More... 11/29/03 AP
AARP Facing Revolt Over Medicare Bill
Nov. 28, 2003 - Senior citizens angry over the AARP's endorsement of the Medicare bill are ripping up or burning their AARP membership cards and flooding the lobbying group's Internet message board with complaints in what could be the biggest revolt in its ranks since the 1980s. More... 11/29/03 AP
Boomers Get Tax-Free Health Savings Accounts in Medicare Bill
Nov. 28, 2003 - Younger, healthier and wealthier Americans had reason to thank Congress as the bill headed toward President Bush's desk just before Thanksgiving. The Medicare bill will allow workers to invest tax free in health savings accounts throughout their working lives, to watch the money accumulate and then to spend it on health care -- again, tax free. More... 11/28/03
Discount Cards May Be Here by April
Nov. 27, 2003 - Discount cards that older Americans can buy to save modest amounts on prescription drugs will be the first tangible result that people will see, perhaps as early as April 1, from the Medicare bill Congress approved this week. More... 11/27/03 AP
Medicare Endorsement Signals Change at AARP
Nov. 26, 2003 - During the past decade, AARP has moved aggressively to expand its membership by focusing on people 45 and older. In polls and focus groups, the organization learned boomers would support an experiment with private competition in the government-run Medicare program a contentious provision that many elderly people, AARP's traditional constituency, bitterly oppose. More... 11/26/03 Yahoo/NY Times
AARP CEO Bill Novelli Calls the Prescription Drug Bill an Historic Victory
Many seniors scoff at Medicare drug benefits package
Contra Costa Times, CA
Alliance for Retired Americans Outraged Over Senate Passage of
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U.S. Newswire
Key components of Medicare bill
Forbes
Democrats Fight Losing Battle on Monday, But Delay Vote
Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 - Following a Sunday session, where Democrats saw the defection of a few key Senators, the Senate was expected to pass the final bill by early afternoon. The battle by the Democrats, however, continued throughout the night.
• Several key Democrats have come out in support of the bill. One of the most notable is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif). She said, "I intend to support this bill, and not because it is perfect, but because I believe it brings substantial help to people who need that help in my State of California." Read her statement - Click Here.
• AARP is continuing their aggressive campaign in support of the bill. Their statement today, urging passage in the Senate, said, "This bill will help millions of people, especially those with low incomes and high drug costs. It will strengthen Medicare by adding this long overdue benefit and preserving the basic structure of the Medicare program." Read more...
In The News:
Filibuster Attempt Unlikely To Block Medicare Bill
MEDICARE MADNESS - Yahoo News
Medicare bill would enrich firms - MSNBC
For White House, 2 Bills Offer Route to Political High Ground - NY Times
US Senate Holds Rare Sunday Session to Debate Medicare Bill
Frist predicts US Senate passage of Medicare bill - Reuters AlertNet
Senate Works Sunday on Medicare Bill
Nov. 23, 2003 - The U.S. Senate convenes at 1 p.m. today to consider the Medicare drug bill approved by the House on Saturday.
• Medicare bill awaits vote in Senate; Kennedy pledges filibuster AP
• AARP Statement on House Passage of Medicare Prescription Drug Bill
In a dramatic vote before dawn yesterday, a divided House approved the most fundamental transformation of Medicare in the program's history, adopting legislation that would add a prescription drug benefit and create a large new role for private health plans in caring for the nation's elderly. The measure had appeared destined for defeat, but passed on a vote of 220 to 215 after the House's GOP leaders kept the roll call open for nearly three hours through the wee hours of the morning as they scoured for extra votes. More… 11/22/03 Washington Post/AP
How Your Representative Voted on Drug Bill
Nov. 22, 2003 – The pre-dawn vote to pass the Medicare drug bill out of the House and send it on to the Senate was 220 in favor and 215 against. Twenty-five Republicans voted against passage and 16 Democrat supported it. Below is the final official vote by member recorded at 5:53 this morning. More... 11/22/03*
Stories on Nov. 21, 2003
• Medicare Agreement Puts Traditional Medicare At “Serious Risk:”
• Agreement Puts Traditional Medicare At “Serious Risk:” N4a
• Medicare proposal has plenty of skeptics
• $139 million lobby blitz thrown at Medicare bill
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GOP leaders push conservatives to back Medicare bill
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Nov. 20, 2003 - Conference Report to
accompany H.R. 1,
the "Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003"
(pdf)
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Stories on Nov. 20, 2003
• NARFE Withholds Support From Bill to Overhaul Medicare
• AARP Decision Followed a Long GOP Courtship
• Gingrich Joins Call for Swift Passage of Medicare Plan
• Democrats Hit AARP Ties to Insurers, GOP
• 85 House Democrats To Leave AARP Amid Medicare Backlash
• Feinstein may back drug bill for seniors
• Medicare bill's asset test hurts seniors, foes say
Stories on Nov. 19, 2003
• Former Ad Agency Exec Who Heads AARP Wrote Preface To Gingrich Book
• HMOs, Generic Drug Makers Back Medicare Bill
• Medicare prescription bill leaves analysts confused
• Medicare Bill Supporters Confident of Passage
• Why are the AARP Board and CEO Providing a Virtual Soft Money Ad...
• Presidential hopefuls blast AARP
Stories on Nov. 18, 2003
• AARP wages ad blitz for GOP Medicare drug plan CNN
Stories on Nov. 17, 2003
• Conservatives voice doubts on US Medicare bill
• AARP Endorses Medicare Prescription Drug Bill
• GOP Consulted AARP on Medicare Drug Bill - ABC News
• White House Warns Democrats Not To Block Medicare Overhaul
• Democrats largely cool to GOP's Medicare drug plan
• Sham Medicare bill is a runaway train - New York Teachers
• Keep up the fight to save Medicare! - New York Teachers
• Bush Hails Tentative Medicare Agreement - KMGH, CO
• Bio Tech Industry Urges Swift Passage of Medicare Agreement - Yahoo
• Statement on by AARP CEO Bill Novelli Medicare Legislation Proposal
• Alliance for Retired Americans Strongly Opposes Republican Effort to Privatize Medicare
• Statement by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson on Medicare Legislation
Major provisions of Medicare legislation
Nov. 17, 2003 - Details of the tentative agreement on a Medicare bill that would provide older Americans a prescription drug benefit and overhaul the government-run health care program for 40 million older and disabled Americans. Click to details
Lawmakers agree on Medicare drug bill
Nov. 16, 2003 - Congressional leaders Saturday night announced an agreement in principle on the largest expansion of Medicare since the program's birth, promising older Americans the first federal help in paying for prescription drugs while tilting the health insurance system heavily toward the private sector. More… Sarasota Herald Tribune
Speaker Hastert Hails Medicare Compromise
Kennedy accepts compromise role to get Medicare through Congress
San
Francisco Chronicle, CA
Senior Democrats question new agreement on Medicare prescription ...
WHNT, AL
Bush pleased by tentative deal on Medicare legislation
San
Francisco Chronicle, CA
Medicare Deal Likely to Spark More Health Care Competition
Washington Post
AMA Strongly Supports Passage of Medicare Conference Report
Yahoo News
Leaders Work Saturday for Drug Bill Solution
Nov. 15, 2003 - The top Republicans in Congress worked Saturday to clear away final obstacles to a Medicare prescription drug bill that President Bush promised in the 2000 campaign. More... 11/15/03 AP
Medicare Rights Center Says No Bill Better than Compromise
Nov. 14, 2003 - The Medicare Rights Center issued a statement today
opposing the current proposal for drug coverage under Medicare. They
said, "...We believe that a comprehensive Medicare drug benefit is a
moral imperative. To be acceptable, the Medicare Rights Center has set
a very low bar to support Medicare legislation: it must be better than
no bill for people with Medicare. The legislation now being promoted
by Congressional leaders cannot meet even this low bar. The bill under
consideration does more harm than good.
Read
their details on the bill - Click here
AARP Makes Strong Demand for Passage As Deadline Nears for Medicare Drug Bill
Nov. 14, 2003 - With only a week before the Senate adjourns for the year, the Congressional conferees have still not found agreement on the Medicare Drug Bill, and the AARP is upset.
AARP CEO Bill Novelli issued a statement, which included the following: "Our members and all Medicare beneficiaries need help now... If this legislation is not enacted this year, a major opportunity will have been lost and politics will have triumphed over policy and public health."
Read the complete statement - Click Here 11/14/03*
Battle Lines Tighten as Deadline Nears on Medicare Bill
Dems Say Medicare Plan Would Up Premiums
ABC 11/14
Bush, in Florida, Urges Passage of Prescription Drug Plan
- NY Times 11/13
Republicans ready to sell Medicare plan, Democrats blast it
- Reuters 11/13
Analysis: GOP blinks in Medicare standoff - UPI
11/13
Deal May
Be Near on Drug Bill… 11/12/03 AP
More Information about Medicare Bill Fight in Early 2003 & 2002 - Click Here