Perspective               

Study Shows People Want Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

Two public opinion polling firms recently issued a report for the Kaiser Family Foundation that is based on a series of discussion sessions in which groups of Americans aged 35-49, 50-64, and 65 and older were asked their opinion on prescription drugs and changes to the Medicare system.

While the study showed that the participants surveyed are satisfied with the Medicare system, it also showed that they want Medicare to expand coverage to include additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage. Participants are concerned with out-of-pocket drug costs and want people with Medicare to get the lowest possible prices for their medicines. For the participants, virtually any premium and a copayment of more than a few dollars seems extremely high.

Overall, participants believe that a Medicare prescription drug benefit should:

• be run by the federal government as opposed to state governments or private health insurance companies;
• build on the current Medicare structure - not a different structure;
• cover all people with Medicare instead of providing for a more limited number of people most in need;
• keep drug prices low without using price controls; and
• grant funding to drug companies so they can research and develop breakthrough drugs.

If you are a person with Medicare and you want a prescription drug benefit added, call your members of Congress and let them know.

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