Lincoln Calls for Improvements to Medicare Rx Drug Program for Low-Income Seniors
Lincoln Calls for Improvements to Medicare Rx Drug Program for Low-Income Seniors
In today's Senate Aging Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) called on Bush Administration officials to address the problems many low-income seniors are facing with the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy benefit. Lincoln believes that while the Medicare Part D program has been successful in providing prescription drug coverage for its beneficiaries, many low-income seniors have experienced difficulties accessing the benefits they need.
"For the first time ever, millions of America's seniors have prescription drug coverage because of the Medicare Part D program. For many of these individuals, that's access to prescription drugs they might not have had," Lincoln said. "While the program has been in large part a success story, problems still remain, particularly with our low-income beneficiaries. We will not have achieved success until all seniors who need financial assistance are able to receive the benefits for which they are eligible."
The Medicare Part D program includes financial assistance for Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes and assets. These beneficiaries must meet an income and asset test and submit an application to determine if they qualify for low-income subsidies. Eligible beneficiaries have incomes below 150 percent of the poverty level.
While 9.9 million Medicare beneficiaries received the low-income subsidy in 2006, approximately 3.2 million persons who were eligible for the benefit did not sign up. Lincoln said more must be done to reach these individuals.
"We must ensure that the most vulnerable among us are able to receive the prescription drugs they need, and the first step is greater outreach and education services for this population," Lincoln said. "Programs like the Area Agencies on Aging and the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs have done a remarkable job counseling beneficiaries in Arkansas and across the country, but we must devote greater resources to these programs to reach more eligible individuals."
In addition, Lincoln said that another barrier seniors face in receiving the low-income subsidy is the application form itself. In today's hearing, Lincoln called on Administration officials to simplify the application in order to increase enrollment numbers and to eliminate the asset test.
http://lincoln.senate.gov/press_show.cfm?id=268251