Kent Conrad: “the first amendment would provide immediate prescription assistance to certain chronically ill beneficiaries. We have a…”

“the first amendment would provide immediate prescription assistance to certain chronically ill beneficiaries. We have a very curious circumstance. Under current law, Medicare Part B covers injectable drugs if they are routinely administered by a physician in the office. However, if a similar drug is available that could be self-injected at home, it is not covered. That makes no sense at all. This policy causes a significant burden for seniors with certain illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases. This amendment would address this problem by providing immediate coverage of drugs that could be administered at home when they are used to replace drugs that are covered when given in a physician's office. This transitional benefit would expire when a comprehensive Medicare drug benefit is implemented in 2006. I am proud to say I am working on this effort with Senator Murray of Washington, who has introduced similar legislation in bill form; Senator Smith, who is also on the Finance Committee, who has been a leading advocate of this approach; Senator Lincoln; and Senator Jeffords. It is supported by more than 40 patient organizations. This is a common-sense policy which provides real and immediate help to thousands of America's seniors. It is entirely paid for by codifying that Medicare is the secondary payer when beneficiaries have other private insurers that provide them with coverage.”