Perspective               

Advocates for Older Adults and the Disabled Urge Congress to Expand Medicare to Include Prescription Drugs

Advocacy organizations throughout the nation are calling on Congress to act now to include coverage for prescription drugs under Medicare, despite the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Bill Thomas's, recent announcement that any changes that would include prescription drug benefits under Medicare will have to wait until next year.

Almost half of the 39 million people on Medicare do not have prescription drug coverage, and millions more have only limited coverage.

"Because Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, millions of Americans are suffering," said Diane Archer, president of the Medicare Rights Center. "Every day we hear from older and disabled people who can't afford their medications, even with annual incomes of $20,000. Some are skipping doses, others are picking and choosing which medications to take, and many others aren't filling their prescriptions at all," she explained.

Vicki Gottlich of the National Senior Citizens Law Center remarked, "Congress has got to step in. People with Medicare need to get their medications. They can mean the difference between life and death."

"The private marketplace is not meeting and has never met the prescription needs of older and disabled Americans," said Carol Jimenez of California Health Advocates. "Medicare managed care is clearly not the solution to the prescription drug problem that many hoped it would be. HMOs are cutting back on already limited prescription drug benefits and pulling out of the Medicare program altogether," she continued.

Beginning in the year 2000, nearly 60% of Medicare HMOs are limiting prescription drug benefits to below $1,000.

The 33 million older and disabled Americans with Original Medicare have the option to buy supplemental insurance, Medigap policies that provide limited prescription drug coverage. These Medigap policies provide no more than $3,000 in drug coverage and can cost as much as $3,000 a year. They also require a $250 annual deductible and only pay half of each prescription filled. Only about 9% of people with Medicare have a Medigap policy that includes some prescription drug coverage.

About one in four people with Medicare depend on a retiree plan with prescription drug coverage to supplement Original Medicare, but this coverage is eroding. Only three out of four people who had retiree coverage in 1994 still have it today.

Older people currently spend an average of 19% of their disposable income on health care. The typical person with Medicare has an annual income of about $15,500.

Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans, does pay for prescription drugs. If you are on Medicare and think you might qualify for Medicaid, call your local Medicaid office.

If you think that Medicare should cover prescription drugs, call and write your representatives in Congress and tell them your stories. Tell them how much your medications cost you, and let them know how you struggle to pay for them. When Congress hears from enough seniors and people with disabilities, they may expand Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit. Call the United States Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to find out how you can contact your Senators and Congressperson.

 

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