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Making the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Work for Seniors

I have heard from a number of North Dakotans expressing their frustration and confusion about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. While I do believe this benefit will help a number of seniors access needed drug coverage, I have some significant concerns.

The implementation of the benefit has become a complete and utter mess. Seniors in North Dakota have to compare 41 plans offered by 17 different companies. That is absurd and probably one of the reasons that North Dakota has the highest percentage of seniors in the nation who still lack prescription drug coverage.

I want the Medicare prescription drug benefit to work. That is why I have called for extending the enrollment deadline to give Congress time to enact common sense reforms to improve the benefit and make it less confusing. I have also asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to dispatch a survey team to North Dakota to determine why enrollment rates are much lower in the Great Plains region than in other parts of the country.

Common Sense Reforms to Improve Medicare Drug Benefit

Extend the enrollment deadline

I joined several colleagues to introduce the Medicare Informed Choice Act. This legislation would extend the initial enrollment period to December 31, 2006, giving beneficiaries more time to make enrollment decisions. Under current law, most beneficiaries must enroll by May 15, 2006, to avoid paying a late enrollment penalty. The legislation would also allow beneficiaries to change plans once during the first year.

Prohibit plans from dropping coverage of drugs during the year

I am a cosponsor of the Medicare Drug Formulary Protection Act. This legislation would prohibit prescription drug plans from dropping drugs from their formularies that were covered when seniors enrolled in the plan. Under current law, prescription drug plans can change which drugs they cover as long as they provide 60 days notice to their enrollees. Yet, seniors are prevented from changing plans during the year.

Allow the government to negotiate for cheaper drug prices

I introduced the Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act with several colleagues to allow the government to negotiate for better drug prices. Under current law, the government is prohibited from negotiating for fair drug prices for our seniors. The savings that would be generated would be used to eliminate what is known as the “donut hole.” The donut hole is the gap in coverage during which beneficiaries continue to pay premiums but receive no drug coverage.

Force plans to disclose any gaps in coverage

I am a cosponsor of the Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Disclosure Act. This legislation would require all Medicare drug plans to provide a disclaimer to beneficiaries if there is a gap in drug coverage.

Ensure beneficiaries receive proper benefits

I was alarmed by reports that low–income and disabled seniors were being improperly charged or denied coverage when the benefit was first implemented. I sent a letter asking the Secretary of Health and Human Services to immediately look into and fix this problem. I am also cosponsor of legislation to reimburse states for the costs associated with ensuring these beneficiaries continued to have coverage.

Make prescription drug importation legal and safe

Americans often pay twice as much for prescription drugs as people in other countries. That is why I have introduced the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act. This legislation would make prescription drug importation legal and safe.