 |
 |
Bush proposes drug measure for seniors HEALTH: President's 'Immediate Helping Hand' would pay at least some prescription costs for many. January 30, 2001 By SCOTT LINDLAW The Associated Press WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush offered a proposal Monday to help states subsidize drug costs for millions of needy senior citizens, saying it was a necessary step on the road to Medicare reform. The plan sent to Capitol Hill set up a clash with lawmakers who want a more sweeping Medicare overhaul now and say Bush's incremental approach does not go far enough. Medicare generally does not provide coverage for most drugs prescribed outside the hospital, although many recipients get drug coverage by signing up for a Medicare HMO or by purchasing supplemental plans. One-third of seniors have no drug coverage. Congressional Democrats put the figure at about 14 million people. The proposal - estimated to cost $48 billion - is meant to cover the full cost of prescription drugs for individual Medicare recipients who have incomes up to $11,600 but are not eligible for Medicaid. Married couples with incomes up to $15,700 would be eligible. For those with slightly higher incomes - $15,000 for individuals, $20,300 for married couples - Bush's plan would offer subsidies covering at least half the cost of drug-plan premiums. All Medicare recipients would have exceptionally high drug costs covered. Bush pledged a $158 billion overhaul of Medicare in the campaign. "Yet this reform effort may take some time, and the most vulnerable beneficiaries have already waited too long for action," Bush says in his plan. To provide prescription drugs to more seniors this year, Bush would give money to states to craft their own programs. The "Immediate Helping Hand" to states, as the program is called, would expire in four years, or as soon as comprehensive Medicare drug reform was implemented. About half the states already have drug assistance programs. Some Democrats said the program will only cover a small fraction of seniors. Bush suggested he might be open to compromise. Asked about the congressional push for broad reform, Bush said: "If, in fact, what they're saying is that they plan on expediting a Medicare reform that will include prescription drugs for all seniors, then all of a sudden I begin to say, 'Well, gosh, that may make sense.'" Copyright 2001 The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/health/30mediccci.shtml [log in to unmask]