Issues and Action
What's New
In this week’s issue of Medicare Watch, you can read Medicare Rights President Joe Baker's statement for the record that was submitted to the Senate Special Committe on Aging for its hearing on rising drug prices in the Medicare Part D program. His statement describes the impact of drug price increases on consumers, particularly those who fall in the coverage gap in the Medicare drug benefit and those who take high-priced biologics that now have no generic alternatives. You can also read his statement urging Congress to pass health reform legislation. All this and more in this week’s Medicare Watch, our policy newsletter. Read the current issue.
Issues We're Working On
Eliminate Waiting Period for People with Disabilities
After proving they are permanently disabled and cannot work, people with disabilities must currently wait two years before they can receive the health coverage they need. These people should be eligible for Medicare as soon as they receive their Social Security Disability Benefits.
WHAT'S NEW
The Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to urge that health reform legislation ensure affordable coverage for people with disabilities. Read the letter.
Fix the Part D Drug Benefit
Medicare Part D is broken. People with Medicare who reach the coverage gap or "doughnut hole," the time when they must pay the full price of their prescription drugs, often stop taking their medication, skip doses or split pills. Older adults and people with disabilities deserve stable, affordable prescription drug coverage.
WHAT'S NEW
On March 17, Medicare Rights Center President Joe Baker submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Special Committee on Aging's hearing "Seniors Feeling the Squeeze: Rising Drug Prices and the Part D Program."
Read the statement.
Reform the Medicare Private Health Plan Marketplace
Medicare private health plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, are more expensive than the government-run Original Medicare program. As a result, private insurance companies have rushed to grab a piece of the Medicare pie, and consumer and marketing fraud have become rampant.
If costs of the private plans were brought to the same level as that of Original Medicare, taxpayers would save $150 billion over the next ten years!
WHAT'S NEW
Medicare Rights Center joined national advocates for Medicare consumers to ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) to strengthen marketing rules governing Medicare private health and drug plans. Read the comments.
Make Low-income Assistance More Accessible
Everyone with Medicare, regardless of income, should be able to get the care and benefits they need.
Applications for financial assistance should be made easier to complete; asset tests should be eliminated; and the application process should be streamlined to allow someone who enrolls in one program to be automatically enrolled in all other programs for which he or she qualifies.
WHAT'S NEW
Medicare Rights Center released a preliminary report on state implementation of reforms to Medicare Savings Programs that are required under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008. Read the report.
Improve the Government's Medicare Counseling and Consumer Education Programs
As Medicare becomes more complex, consumers' confusion and frustration are increasing as well. People with Medicare need clear and understandable information now more than ever. The principal source of information—1-800-Medicare—provides poor service and unreliable information at a high cost, while community-based organizations better suited to provide one-on-one counseling do not have the tools or resources they need.
CMS needs to overhaul its counseling and consumer education programs to meet the needs of people with Medicare.
WHAT'S NEW
Medicare Rights released a statement by President Joe Baker on CMS's new Office of External Affairs and Beneficiary Services. The new office will be responsible for all of CMS's efforts to communicate with consumers. Read the statement.