Poll: Older patients unaware of new Medicare drug benefit

[TacticalPeek]

Posted 2/26/2004 12:00 PM Updated 2/26/2004 11:56 AM



Poll: Older patients unaware of
new Medicare drug benefit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Almost
70% of elderly Medicare recipients don't know the program's
new prescription drug benefit has been signed into law,
according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

A majority of those surveyed have an unfavorable
impression of the drug benefit, which the President signed
into law in December. About 55% said their impression is
unfavorable, compared with 17% who held a favorable
impression. The remainder had a neutral impression or no
impression at all.

Among those who knew the Medicare drug benefit had
become law, an even greater percentage — 73% — had an
unfavorable impression. Only a minority of those polled said
they understand the benefit very well, leading researchers to
conclude that many older Americans may be vulnerable to
political grandstanding.

"The lack of understanding of the prescription drug law
makes it ripe for political demagoguery on both sides as we
enter the election season," said foundation president Drew
Altman. "The president will say he delivered a good
prescription drug law, and the Democratic candidate will say
it's a bad law. How are seniors to judge?"


more
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-02-26-medicare-survey_x.htm

[Mountainman]

1. How are seniors to judge?

I guess they will have to wait till 2006 to find out that they got screwed. I'm older and I know about it bill because of DU.

[Malva Zebrina]

2. Olympia Snowe was here in the Senior Center of my small little town

Most seniors do NOT know antyning much about what is happening to them.

She came to tell them all the wonderful things that Bush will be giving them and they had theri picture taken with her and produced in the local weekly. My she certainly looked just fine with her jet black hair (dyed of course-I could recommend some botox for her--either go with the natural hair color or do the botox to go with the jet black hair.)

Nevertheless, there she was in my small little town, telling all the seniors how good Bush has been to them. They ate it up.

That was before Bush upped the money for the Meicare program. But on the whole, those seniors do not have a clue about the costs or the budget or how it affects them or the country.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. She's a......

POS!

:argh:

Another "bitch" of the Rethugs!

[damnraddem]

3. A better way to put it:

seniors are unaware of new Medicare law's lack of benefits.

[mike1963]

5. Well, gee, maybe it's because there really AREN'T any....??

:eyes:
:grr: