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Washington, D.C. -- Despite the fact that over 25 percent of New Jersey seniors live in Monmouth, Middlesex or Ocean counties, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is not currently planning on holding an informational forum on its Medicare prescription drug plan in these counties. In response, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today called on CMS to hold an informational forum in Central New Jersey.
"These informational forums would be extremely beneficial to senior citizens in my district who have yet to sign up for a new benefit plan due to the complexity and confusion surrounding the program," Pallone said.
In a letter sent to the CMS Administrator Dr. Mark McClellan today, the New Jersey congressman asked that CMS revise its planned schedule to include a forum in each of these three counties. Currently, CMS is scheduled to only visit ten New Jersey counties during the week of January 23rd.
"As you are well aware, many senior citizens have yet to sign up for the new benefit because of the complexity and confusion surrounding the program," Pallone wrote in his letter to McClellan. "Furthermore, those who are already enrolled have experienced significant problems, especially low-income seniors and dual eligibles who have been denied or delayed access to their prescription drugs. Accordingly, I think that it is important for CMS to continue its outreach efforts.
"I am concerned, however, that your education efforts will fail to reach a significant portion of New Jersey's senior population," Pallone continued. "It is my understanding that there are no forums currently planned for Monmouth, Middlesex, or Ocean counties. This is quite alarming given the large senior population that resides in this area. These three counties alone account for over twenty five percent of New Jersey's senior population. To that extent, I urge you to revise your planned schedule and include a forum in each of the aforementioned counties."
Two years ago Pallone opposed the Republican prescription drug law because it did not provide a defined benefit to seniors within the Medicare system. He instead supported legislation that would create a drug plan provided directly by Medicare rather than private insurance companies and allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. Despite Pallone's objections, the law took effect on January 1, 2006. The enrollment period started November 15, 2005 and will run until May 15, 2006. For those who signed up by December 31, 2005, coverage began on January 1, 2006. Those who sign up after May 15, 2006 will be charged a late penalty that increases the cost of the Medicare prescription drug benefit. |
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