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medpundit |
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Monday, June 23, 2003Beginning in 2006, seniors could pay an additional $35 a month for partial drug coverage. In most states, the drug benefit would be sponsored by private insurers, and there would be no price controls on drugs. ....Seniors would pay the first $276 a year in drug costs. Then the program would pay half of all costs up to $4,500 a year. The individual would pay everything between $4,500 and $5,800, and the plan would pay 90 percent of all costs above that. This complex formula is just nuts, but it is the best Republicans offered. An elderly person with $4,000 in drug bills would pay a total of $2,558 out of pocket in premiums, deductibles and co-payments. Many would hesitate to enroll. The formula is intended to hold down costs -- another Republican demand (what with all those tax giveaways to finance). Even so, the program would cost the government $40 billion a year. Wouldn’t a simple means test be easier? This essentially subsidizes drugs for everyone. Most elderly people’s drug bills come out to be less than $4500 a year. (That’s $375 a month), but if they have higher bills, they have to share more of the burden. Makes no sense. Unless, of course, the goal isn’t so much to provide help for those who need it as it is to curry favor with those who vote. (via Kausfiles) posted by Sydney on 6/23/2003 07:41:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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