Rolls Growing (3.6 million seniors) for Drug Plan as Problems Continue

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/national/18medicare.html

January 18, 2006
Rolls Growing (3.6 million seniors) for Drug Plan as Problems Continue

By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 - The Bush administration said Tuesday that more than 2.6 million people had voluntarily signed up for Medicare's prescription drug benefit in the last 30 days, pushing the total voluntary enrollment to 3.6 million.

Michael O. Leavitt, the secretary of health and human services, cautioned beneficiaries that they might still encounter problems when they tried to use the new benefit for the first time.

Since the drug coverage took effect on Jan. 1, many low-income beneficiaries have been overcharged, and some were turned away from pharmacies without getting their medications because the pharmacies could not confirm their enrollment.

The problems have been so widespread that more than 20 states have stepped in to pay drug claims that should have been paid by the federal Medicare program.<snip>

[hwmnbn]

1. Do you want an election "issue"....

The repukes took away your grandma's medicine. They also overcharged her when she did get them, and your State has to foot the bill. What are you going to do about it?

Or words to that effect.....

[papau]

2. Seems a real Katrinia "good job Brownie" moment is coming soon!

:-)

[CountAllVotes]

3. right on!

This is a total disgrace! I've been reading about people with epilepsy that cannot get the drugs they need! My God, this really is an ELECTION ISSUE! Actually, it goes far beyond that ... live v. death for many!!!



:kick:

[mom cat]

4. "voluntarilly"... yeh, what about people thrown off their state Medicaid

Rx programs... They had no choice and were "automatically enrolled" That is not voluntary!

[preciousdove]

5. Private HMOs also dropped drug plans..voluntary my aunt fanny!

[brentspeak]

6. Bush and the Republicans wanted this program not to work

All in the name of destroying of the New Deal.