Some of my favorite visits with Iowans take place inside the local coffee shops and cafes where conversations turn lively when a matter of public policy hits close to home.
A few years ago older citizens and near retirees voiced significant concern about the lack of prescription drug coverage available to those insured by Medicare.
Prescription drugs have assumed a central role in modern medicine. Employers, including the federal government, provide prescription drug coverage to their employees and retirees. Many Iowans expressed frustration. As modern medicine pumped up health care standards for older Americans, Medicare benefits lagged behind.
As a federal policymaker, I appreciate that leading an independent lifestyle for octogenarians and beyond in many cases depends upon access to affordable health care, including prescription medicines.
As the drum beat for Medicare Rx coverage thundered across America, I worked to ensure the first-ever Medicare prescription drug benefit would remain absolutely voluntary, tailor the greatest benefit to those in greatest need and create competitive coverage to keep the price tag reasonable for patients and taxpayers.
The Republican-led Congress passed the landmark Medicare Prescription Drug, Modernization and Improvement Act of 2003. Last November, the federal government opened the first enrollment phase for the drug benefit, Medicare Part D.
For the last six months, I urged Iowans to make every effort to learn about their coverage options.
Others have used practically every opportunity to do the opposite and tell beneficiaries it’s too hard too figure out and not worth the effort.
It was frustrating to see a public policy enacted for the public good turned into a political football only to score points for the good of a political party.
When Medicare launched Part D on January 1, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that there would be glitches along the way. But what was arguably unexpected and highly irresponsible was the partisan assault unleashed by Democratic leaders on a program barely one month old.
Despite around-the-clock efforts by the federal agency running Medicare, hometown pharmacies, insurers and the states working to iron out kinks in the system, the partisan maneuverings to sling mud all over Medicare Part D continued.
Despite the partisan campaign, millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D during the initial enrollment period. Already, Medicare is helping to fill more than one million prescriptions daily.
Even so, the partisanship inflicted damage. During recent meetings in Iowa, I heard from some beneficiaries who chose not to enroll based on the negative information they heard from political leaders.
The first enrollment period ended on May 15. Under current law, people who were eligible to enroll in the first six months and did not do so are subject to pay a monthly premium penalty. In my continuing effort to do everything possible to help this program succeed and assist as many Americans as possible, I introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the enrollment penalty for 2006. If enacted into law, my bill would mean that Medicare beneficiaries who enroll during the next open enrollment season (November 15 – December 31, 2006) would not be subject to a payment penalty.
My bill also would provide an additional $18 million for State Health Insurance Information programs and Area Agencies on Aging to help finance additional outreach and personalized assistance to unenrolled beneficiaries.
As America celebrates Older Americans Month, it seems appropriate to give people a little more flexibility to make a decision. And I will continue championing policies that help people help themselves to live longer, healthier lives with dignity and independence.
For decades, older citizens have contributed to the greater good of American society. As Americans live longer, we face greater choices, opportunities and responsibilities to extend our independence. Today’s grandparents and great-grandparents are redefining aging in America. It’s inspiring to younger generations to raise the bar of expectations for what’s to come.
Medicare Part D can help. It is already helping millions of Americans to receive their prescription medicines at reduced costs. My bill would give those who didn’t make up their minds a second chance to do so without facing a sign-up penalty through the end of the year.