Wednesday, July 25, 2001
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Wednesday, July 25, 2001 |
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Administration Medicare improvement plan a positive development, says Collins The Bush Administration's Medicare proposals offer a chance to improve and strengthen the program, Rep. Mac Collins said last week. Collins spoke after Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson testified to the House Ways and Means Committee on plans to improve Medicare. Thompson discussed plans to provide a pharmaceutical drug discount card, efforts to revamp the system, and the need to improve the financial health of the Medicare system. "I am encouraged by what I heard here today," Collins said. "Medicare is nothing more than a giant government-run HMO, and up until now we have not seen changes to encourage adoption of new treatments, drugs and procedures, or to provide recipients more efficient service. Today we are seeing steps taken to make those improvements." Collins said the proposed prescription drug discount card is an example of the administration's effort to provide better services and lower drug costs to seniors. Thompson said groups will issue the cards and provide discounts based on the combined purchasing power of millions of Medicare recipients. The cards could cut prices of name-brand drugs by an average of 24 percent, and generic drugs by 40 percent. Medicare recipients could join a prescription drug discount card plans by paying an enrollment fee not higher than $25 per year. Collins told Thompson he is pleased the plan includes local pharmacists, saying, "The neighborhood pharmacist is one of the most trusted persons in the community and probably answers more questions concerning medication than even the physician who writes the prescription in the first place." Calling the card "just the first step in reform needed to address problems in the Medicare system," Collins said it is a positive move by the Administration, although stronger reforms, such as a prescription drug benefit program, require Congressional action, he believes. "The Administration is committed to working with Congress to provide a prescription drug benefit under Medicare and to make the changes necessary to make the Medicare system more responsive," said Collins. "By granting states more control, more choices to recipients, and greater efficiency, the Administration and Congress will greatly improve Medicare. "If we act now, we have a chance to secure the program and fulfill its promises to our seniors," he continued. "If we don't and choose to remain complacent, the problems will catch up with us. For example, Medicare's Part A begins paying out more than it takes in revenue in 2016. Fortunately, the Administration is committed to working with Congress to ensure Medicare will meet its commitments now and in the future."
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