Mike Levin: “today I am introducing ``The Medicare Part D Reform Act of 2006.'' This bill is necessary to address some of the major…”

“today I am introducing ``The Medicare Part D Reform Act of 2006.'' This bill is necessary to address some of the major problems in the Medicare prescription drug benefit that took effect on January 1 of this year. As we all know, the reaction of our seniors has been widespread disappointment, mass confusion and downright anger. Let me describe some of the problems that I am hearing from people in Michigan about this new Medicare prescription drug benefit. First, many drug companies have previously issued discount cards and are currently providing drugs to low-income people and seniors at a nominal or no cost. These are individuals usually at 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, which is 19,600 for a single person or $26,400 for a couple, while to qualify for the Medicare low-income subsidy, their income must be $14,700 for a single person or $19,800 for a couple. Many of these programs are being discontinued, and seniors are losing a vital method of obtaining low cost prescription drugs. Second, prescription drug plans can drop a drug from its list of covered drugs with 60 days notice at any time during the calendar year. This is particularly egregious for a senior who relied on a particular medication being available and covered when the senior chose that particular plan. Third, the situation of so-called ``dual eligibles'' is clearly worse now than before enactment of the prescription drug benefit.…”