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Now, I’d like to ask you a question about a story that has been in the news recently. If you’re not sure of the answer, that’s okay. Just tell me and I’ll go to the next question. You may have heard news about recent debates in Congress on a bill that would add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. To the best of your knowledge, has this bill been passed by Congress and signed into…
Women's Health Policy Download a printable .pdf of Health Care and the 2004 Elections: Women's Health Policy. IssueBackgroundReproductive HealthImproving Insurance Coverage and Affordability of CareBalancing Work and Family Health Care NeedsLong-Term CareClinical ResearchAssessing Candidate Positions Issue Health care is a major issue for women. Their greater health needs, longer lifespans, lower incomes, roles in their family’s health as mothers and caregivers, and reproductive health needs make their relationship with the health care system complex. Historically,…
This report projects the impact of the new Medicare drug benefit on out-of-pocket spending for people who enroll in 2006. This analysis from November 2004 estimates that 6.9 million beneficiaries are projected to be affected by the coverage gap (the so-called "doughnut hole") in the standard Part D drug benefit. This estimate is based on projected enrollment in Part D plans of 29 million (Congressional Budget Office, July 2004), prior to implementation of the drug…
This comprehensive survey of people on Medicare, conducted in June and July 2004, assesses their attitudes toward the new Medicare drug law. This chartpack, issued in September 2004, presents additional analysis on the survey data, focusing on the views of people under age 65 with physical and/or mental disabilities. Supplemental Chartpack (.pdf)
Who do you trust to do a better job handling...prescription drug benefits for the elderly, (George W.) Bush or the Democrats in Congress? 35% Bush51 Democrats in Congress1 Both (vol.)6 Neither (vol.)7 No opinion Methodology: Conducted by ABC News/Washington Post, January 15-January 18, 2004 and based on telephone interviews with a national adult sample of 1,036. Interviews were conducted by TNS Intersearch. Data provided by The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut.
Topline findings from the May/June 2004 Kaiser Health Poll Report survey, including knowledge and opinions about the new Medicare prescription drug law. Survey Toplines (.pdf)
These summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., provide detailed information about the prescription drug provisions of the Medicare legislation (P.L. 108-173) signed by the President on December 8, 2003. Report (.pdf)
Additional Help with Prescription Drug Costs For Low-Income People on Medicare (For 2007 Benefits and Cost-Sharing) As of 2007, Medicare helps pay for outpatient prescription drugs. Medicare provides additional help with drug costs to beneficiaries who qualify based on low incomes and limited resources. The information below describes the different levels of assistance available to people who meet the eligibility requirements. People on Medicare Who Also Have Full Medicaid Benefits (Dual Eligibles) pay: No premium…
This survey of state Medicaid pharmacy programs updates a survey conducted in 2000 and reports Medicaid prescription drug policies in effect in early 2003. It covers utilization management policies, payment and purchasing policies, utilization review policies, and policies for managed care enrollees and persons residing in institutions. Report (.pdf)
Issues Surrounding the “Clawback” or State Contributions Towards Medicare Drug Coverage: A Conference Call Discussion As part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 signed into law last year, Congress included a financing provision that requires a monthly payment from each state to the Medicare program beginning in January 2006. MMA’s clawback provision will recapture most of the savings that states would realize when Medicare assumes prescription drug costs for…
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