Here are the key messages regarding the flaws of Medicare Part D:

 

 

Sample messages to write on "donut hole" cards:

 

·      Congress needs to immediately eliminate the donut hole in the Medicare prescription drug plan.  The Kaiser Family Foundation projects that nearly 7 million Medicare beneficiaries will fall into the donut hole in 2006.  Please support Part D reform now.

 

·      Congress needs to immediately lift restrictions on Medicare from negotiating directly with the pharmaceutical companies to secure a fair price for prescriptions. Direct negotiations will maximize prescription drug savings and help close the donut hole.  Please support Part D reform now.

 

·      Congress needs to immediately direct that Medicare Part D insurance company profits be used to fill the donut hole. Part D partially privatizes Medicare.  Companies marketing drug insurance policies approved by Medicare should have limits put on profits they can make on these policies. Please support Part D reform now.

 

·      Congress needs to immediately eliminate the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty and extend the sign-up period.  A confusing array of drug insurance policies is being offered. Medicare beneficiaries or their guardians need time to carefully review available plans before May 15, 2006.  Please support Part D reform now.

 

·      Congress needs to immediately prohibit prescription drug plans from changing their benefits during the plan year.  Current law allows plans to change their formularies and prices during the plan year, but prevents beneficiaries from switching plans.  Plans should be required to notify beneficiaries within 30 days of any plan change and allow beneficiaries to change plans without penalty.   Please support Part D reform now.

 

·      Support legislation (H.R. 676) creating a single payer universal health care system.  Our heath care system is the most expensive in the world yet it is ranked 37^th (after Costa Rica) by the World Health Organization in overall performance. The U.S. spends 24% of its health care dollars on administration - twice that of countries which cover all their people.  A single payer system will provide effective solutions to Americans' health care needs. 

 

 

Send a post card to your member of Congress today!