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Medicare
I believe the federal government has an obligation to Medicare recipients. Medicare comprises the lifeblood of many older Americans' existence by helping to subside the rising cost of health care in our country. The addition of an effective prescription drug benefit will further add to this protection.
The "Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003" established a prescription drug benefit for America's seniors (Part D). I believe Part D serves as a monumental step for Medicare beneficiaries by recognizing the important roll of prescription drugs in managing the health of today's seniors.
The goal of the Part D program was to provide seniors the first comprehensive prescription drug benefit ever offered under the Medicare program. The benefit was to be provided through private drug plans in an effort to increase competition and keep the overall costs of the program down. However, to date the plans have been plagued by frustration and confusion for seniors, their loved ones and their local pharmacists. It is unfortunate that such a promising program has encountered so many difficulties since its inception.
I believe it is important for the Administration to work with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers the Part D program, to address this frustration and confusion. If the program is to work effectively and achieve its intended goal, seniors must be able to understand the program, their plan and the benefits to which they are entitled. I believe that the plans must be required to provide seniors a clear, easy-to-understand description of their benefits.
I supported passage of the �Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003� and I remain committed to a prescription drug benefit for our nation�s seniors. Nevertheless, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the administration to ensure that seniors have all of the information that they need to make informed decisions and receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Rest assured that I will keep the wellbeing of America�s Seniors in mind as Congress coninues to address these issues.
For more information on Medicare developments and Medicare services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov
Click here to read Senator Shelby's newsletter about medicare issues in the 108th Congress.
Congressional Research Service Issues Briefs
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is part of the legislative branch of the federal government. CRS, which is a department of the Library of Congress, works exclusively as a nonpartisan analytical, research, and reference arm for Congress.
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For more information on this issue, please view the following CRS reports:
Medicare Payment Policies
Beneficiary Information and Decision Supports for the Medicare-Endorsed Presciption Drup Discount Card.
More information on Senator Shelby's activities regarding Medicare:
Chemical Weapons Disposal at Anniston
Department of Homeland Security
Disability and Military Retirement Benefits