Thinking about the prescription drug benefit that will go into effect in January 2006, majorities of seniors expect the new benefit will be at least somewhat helpful for people on Medicare. Over half (57%) say it will be “somewhat” or “very” helpful for a typical person on Medicare, and even more so think the benefit will be helpful for people on Medicare with no drug coverage (71%) and low-income people (70%).

Seniors are less sure the benefit will help them personally; just over two in ten (21%) say the benefit will be “very” helpful, while over three in ten (32%) say it will not be helpful at all to them personally.