The Medicare Drug Savings Act was introduced in both houses of Congress in late April. If passed the bill would restore prescription drug rebates for low income beneficiaries. The bill sponsors, Florida Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Kathy Castor are working on the premise that securing lower drug prices MUST be part of any legislative effort to achieve Medicare savings. If enacted, their bill will save $120 B while preserving beneficiary access to necessary medications and WITHOUT additional costs.
BACKGROUND: Most Medicare recipients, more than half, live on annual incomes of $25,000 OR LESS; that is more than 25 million older Americans and people with disabilities. The average Medicare household spends 14% of their total income on healthcare costs which contrasts with the 5% spent by non-Medicare households.
Despite these harsh realities, most of the proposals in DC are focused on forcing people with Medicare to pay more through the imposition of higher premiums or cost sharing.
UPDATED INFORMATION ON AGING: Five areas of concern emerged from the latest summit on America's elders. 1) informal care giving 2) formal services and supports 3) direct care workers 4) access to information and services 5)financing long term services and supports. These areas are of concern because 20% of seniors receive one or more such assistance with their care needs and the likelihood of receiving such care only increases with age. The Obama Administration has tried to improve long term services and supports including increasing access through the Affordable Care Act and a renewed commitment to community integration.
New Rating for Hospitals may help patients choose where they receive care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has designed a star ratings system based on data from surveys that take into account patient experiences as they related to doctor/patient communication, staff response to patient needs, cleanliness and noise levels as well as the preparedness of patients when they enter post-hospital settings like rehabs. It is expected to make consumer choice easier and to encourage providers (hospitals and clinicians) to improve patient experience and the quality of care. CMS also rates nursing homes, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
The Kaiser Foundation recently released their overview of the Medicare program explaining in detail what is and is not covered and for whom. It is divided into several sections. BACKGROUND: Medicare was signed into law 50 years ago. It provides guaranteed health care benefits for older adults and people with disabilities. Today more than 55 million people are recipients. Important services such as prescription drugs, hospital visits, home health care, skilled nursing, hospice and preventive services. This coverage accounts for 14% of the federal budget but its growth has slowed since the Affordable Care Act became law. It is expected to see a slower growth rate than private insurance over the coming decade.
Send an email or call the Congressional Switchboard ( 202-224-3121) to insist your Medicare benefits be maintained.