Implemented in January 2006, the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit has been riddled with problems from the start and falls far short of an adequate prescription drug benefit program promised by the federal government. Many seniors will experience a large gap in coverage for necessary medications, referred to as the ‘doughnut hole,’ during which beneficiaries pay their monthly premiums for the prescription drug program, while paying the full cost of their medications. 

This is why, this week, I introduced the Medicare Doughnut Hole Elimination Act of 2006, legislation which would allow beneficiaries to count both prescription drugs that the insurance plan covers, called a formulary, and non-formulary drugs towards both a plan’s deductible and towards the Part D ‘doughnut hole.’ Currently, private insurance plans administering the Medicare Part D program have a set list of prescription drugs they will cover. Any drug not listed on the plan’s formulary will not be eligible for coverage under Part D. Furthermore, these non-covered prescription drugs are not counted towards overall out of pocket costs for those plans offering a deductible and for the ‘doughnut hole’ coverage gap between $2,250 and $5,100. 

The legislation I have introduced would accurately account for a beneficiary’s out of pocket drug expenses during the deductible and the doughnut hole, not just the prescription drugs recognized by the individual insurance plan. While I did not support the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, beneficiaries deserve access to medications as promised by this legislation. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle towards providing a meaningful prescription drug benefit that does right by our seniors. Beneficiaries who are paying tremendous costs for prescription drugs not included in their coverage plan should have those out of pocket expenses be counted during the ‘doughnut hole’ coverage gap that beneficiaries experience when they reach $2,250 in prescription drug expenses. Affordable access to life saving medications should not be limited, and I will continue to work to ensure that all citizens have fair access to the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

“The naming of the William J. Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope as part of the National Park Service is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue.  This is not about partisan politics.  This is about preserving our history, a Presidential legacy, for not only the City of Hope and Southwest Arkansas, but also for the State of Arkansas and the United States.  The placement of the home on the National Park Registry will create jobs and boost tourism in Hope and the surrounding communities,” said Ross.

“As a 1979 graduate of Hope High School and a representative for the people of Hope, I took a personal interest in ensuring Clinton’s Birthplace home joins the ranks of the other 32 Presidential sites on the National Park Registry.  As a Member of Congress, I believe that every Presidential Birthplace Democrat and Republican alike, if still standing, should be preserved as a part of history for future generations to experience,” continued Ross.

“Today, the home is a tourist attraction with visitors from all 50 states and around the world to the credit of the privately run Clinton Birthplace Foundation.  American Presidents are a hallmark of our society.  We place a great significance on the homes of Presidents because they are a part of our nation’s history.  This is where our Presidents formed their core beliefs and value systems that shaped their decisions in the nation’s highest office – the Office of the President.  The birthplace home of President William Jefferson Clinton holds a piece of our presidential history, and it is only fitting for it to be designated as a National Historic Site,” said Ross.

Since Ross entered office in 2001, he has worked with the City of Hope and the Clinton Birthplace Foundation to ensure that President Clinton’s birthplace would be preserved for generations to come.  In addition to the full, bipartisan support of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, H.R. 4192 also enjoys the support of Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (CA-11) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL-14).  Additionally, Ross has received letters of support from Governor Mike Huckabee and Clinton’s former Chief of Staff, Mack McLarty.  This legislation must be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush before becoming law.