Now that the Medicare bill has been passed the media find it pertinent to print more than just the first year’s costs and benefits. Not on national TV or in any of the local papers or news broadcasts did we hear anything beyond the $35 per month premium, the $250 deductible and the 75 percent coverage up to the $2,250 limit. The lower limit at which coverage was to return was set at $3,600 as then reported.
Now we are told of the escalating costs each year: a 65 percent increase in monthly premiums; a 78 percent increase in the deductible; and a 78 percent increase in the benefit limit over the first eight years of the program! But that’s OK because Congress allowed the pharmaceutical industry to stipulate in the bill that the government would not impose any ceilings on their charges for these drugs. Now, the $3,600 limit suddenly increased to $5,100. Likewise, Congress determined that we shouldn’t attempt to help ourselves by taking that short drive to Vancouver B.C.
These increases over the first eight years of the program obviously far exceed the increases that may be expected in rising Social Security benefits, they may even exceed the annual raises Congress gives itself over that period! The net result will be to the detriment of seniors.
The plan to provide a benefit under Medicare is good on the surface. But these unwarranted giveaways to the drug companies are totally uncalled for. Now what are these people going to do to warrant our support for them to continue making laws like this? We all need to contact our senators and representatives now. These laws will not take effect until 2006, There is plenty of time to get rid of these loopholes for drug manufacturers and to make this bill truly senior-friendly.
Mill Creek
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