Byron Dorgan: “nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries are going to become all too familiar with what is called the ``doughnut…”

“nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries are going to become all too familiar with what is called the ``doughnut hole'' over the next several months. The doughnut hole is a gap in coverage that exists in most Medicare prescription drug plans. Here is how the doughnut hole works: Under most plans, Medicare will pay for 75 percent of drug costs up to $2,250 after an initial $250 deductible. But then Medicare pays nothing until drug expenses exceed $5,100. During this gap in coverage, beneficiaries continue to pay monthly premiums but get no drug coverage at all. I think this is unfair. That is why I am introducing the Prescription for Fairness Act. This legislation is simple. It says seniors should not have to pay monthly premiums during the time when they have no drug coverage. The legislation would waive the monthly premium for any month that a senior is trapped in the doughnut hole. The legislation will help people like Mrs. McLain, an 88-year-old woman who lives in a long-term care facility in Bottineau, ND. She enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug benefit earlier this year. Her brother, who helps pay her health care bills, was recently contacted by their local pharmacist. The pharmacist explained that Mrs. McLain no longer has Medicare drug coverage and must pay about $500 every month for her diabetes medications. This is not an expense that they had planned for, nor one they can afford.…”