Good intentions gone awry


The new Medicare Drug Benefit is proving to be a hard sell
I think that the Medicare Drug Benefit never should have passed in the first place. In the long term, drug prices will rise. But Republican lawmakers are trying to convince seniors.

Under the normal rules of politics, Congressional Republicans ought to be doing victory laps these days because of the new Medicare drug benefit, accepting the gratitude of the nation's retirees.

Instead, at meetings around the country, they are trying to ease widespread confusion and apprehension about a program that strikes many retirees as dauntingly complex. At a forum in Louisville, Ky., last week, Representative Anne M. Northup, a Republican, tried to reassure about 300 intensely attentive retirees. "I encourage you not to be discouraged," Ms. Northup said, soothingly. "If you feel like you don't know where to go, please call my office."

Beyond altruistic concerns, Congressional Republicans have a keen political interest in ensuring an orderly, successful rollout of the program, which happens to begin in a highly competitive midterm election year. The drug benefits are available for the first time beginning Jan. 1, and the initial sign-up period, which began Nov. 15, lasts until May 15.

Nobody knows how popular the drug benefit will ultimately be with the nation's retirees, who are a critical voting bloc. But Congressional Republicans, who pushed through the Medicare drug law in 2003, have clear political ownership of it, and whatever credit or blame it brings, strategists say.

I know how it is going to go, it will backfire big time and add billions to the budget deficit, all while confusing people and making drugs inaccessible.

Anyone else notice how this "market-based reform" ends up taking choices away?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Mon - December 5, 2005 at 05:02 AM  Tag


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