SPEAK OUT ON MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

SPEAK OUT ON MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT:
A SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN

The House of Representatives will begin debate on a Medicare prescription drug bill the week of May 12th. Representatives expect to vote on the bill some time during the following week, beginning May 19th.

Now is the time to let your Congressman know your concerns about how a prescription drug benefit should be structured. Go to www.house.gov to find information on how to contact your Congressman by telephone, fax, or email. Most offices are not accepting standard mail.

We enclose a sample letter below for you to consider as you frame the possibility of communicating with Congress about this important issue. If you have questions please contact Vicki Gottlich at vgottlich@medicareadvocacy.org or (202)293-5760. Thank you.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Congressman_________________:

As you debate addition of a prescription drug benefit to Medicare in the next few weeks, we ask that you develop a proposal that meets the following principles for a meaningful, universal, affordable prescription drug benefit.

The drug benefit should be part of the Medicare program and administered in the same way that benefits under Medicare Parts A and B are administered.

Beneficiaries should not be forced into an HMO or PPO in order to get prescription drug coverage.

The drug benefit should be uniform and guaranteed, and should not vary depending upon the delivery system for receiving Medicare.

The premium should be reasonable for most beneficiaries, not to exceed $35 per month, should be the same guaranteed amount for all plans, and provisions should be made to assist with premium payments for beneficiaries with low incomes.

Any deductible should be low enough to be affordable by beneficiaries and to allow all beneficiaries to receive coverage for some prescriptions.

Any co-payment amounts should be uniform, guaranteed, and reasonable for any prescription.

Beneficiaries should have continuous coverage. They should not have to pay the full cost of any drugs after the deductible is met, regardless of the amount they spend on drugs.

Beneficiaries should not be forced to pay higher co-payments for current Medicare benefits such as home health services or to pay higher co-insurance for the right to see a doctor of their choice in exchange for a Medicare drug benefit.

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries should be protected, regardless of their age and where they live.

These principles must be met in order for a prescription drug benefit to meet the needs of the people the Medicare statute was designed to protect, Medicare beneficiaries. [Your organization here] looks forward to working with you to enact such a benefit.