Bush Pushes Enrollment for Drug Benefit

[cal04]

With an enrollment deadline fast approaching, elderly and disabled Americans should review their options and sign up for the government's new prescription drug benefit, President Bushsaid Saturday. "By enrolling before the deadline, you can ensure the lowest possible premiums and start saving on your prescription drug bills," Bush said during his Saturday morning radio address. Under the program, 43 million Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a private plan that will subsidize the cost of their medicine.

The savings vary depending upon one's prescription drug needs, income and the plan chosen. Medicare officials claim the average enrollee will save about $1,100 a year. The program stumbled in its earliest weeks, and most states stepped in to make sure their poorest residents didn't lose access to medicine as they made the transition from Medicaid coverage to the new benefit. But the administration has also touted several polls indicating that a large majority of those who did enroll are satisfied with their insurance.

"Competition in the prescription drug market has been stronger than expected, and costs for seniors are lower than expected," Bush said, noting that the average monthly premium is $25 a month instead of $37 a month, as previously projected. Bush and other administration officials are urging an estimated 6 million to 7 million beneficiaries still without prescription drug coverage to enroll by May 15. Many people who wait until after the deadline to enroll will face the prospect of higher monthly premiums. Lawmakers say they've heard numerous complaints from their constituents about the complexity of the program and the vast array of plans that are out there.

Most people have more than 40 plans to select from. But the president said the large selection lets people find the plan that best fits their needs. Bush is scheduled to be in Florida next week to promote the benefit, while Democrats say they will lead efforts in Washington to delay the enrollment deadline through the end of the year and to waive the financial penalty that comes with late enrollment. "While I am no fan of this particular program or the partisan process by which it was created, my Democratic colleagues and I have been very clear that we do not want it repealed," Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., said during a congressional hearing. "It is, however, clear to me that changes need to be made."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060506/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_4

[bluerum]

1. Come on - my drug company buddies need the cash flow - it's good

for the economy and it's your patriotic duty to support my rich as hell buddies.

[zann725]

3. "His company buddies"... Doesn't Rummy own large share in one of the Co's?

Visions of "Constant Gardender" dance in my head...

[Demeter]

2. Can't Figure Out Why Bush Would Care

unless he gets a commision on every "live one" that signs up.

[leesa]

4. They are determined to squeeze every last penny out of us.