Temporary Drug Discount Card Put Forward

[newyawker99]

Congressional negotiators voted Tuesday to establish a temporary discount drug card program for Medicare recipients, hoping to fill a gap in health care coverage until a comprehensive pharmaceutical benefit can take effect later in the decade.

Bush administration officials said seniors would receive discounts of 15 percent and more on their drug bills under the program, which would begin in 2004 and run through the end of 2005. Additionally, lower income seniors would receive a federal subsidy of $600 annually.

The agreement on a discount card as well as a variety of other relatively non-controversial items were the first important fruits of compromise talks by members of the House and Senate working on politically charged legislation to overhaul Medicare while adding a prescription drug benefit.

"So far we have seen a willingness to work together in a bipartisan, bicameral way," said Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., who is chairing the talks. Said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, "I think this spirit can continue."

drug discount card

[Liberal Veteran]

1. 15%. Is that the best we can do?

That is almost next to worthless. I suppose every bit helps, but 15% is a pittance and hardly makes a dent.

[SoCalDem]

2. Check your junk mail, folks...

At least once a week, we get a "fabulous offer" of a prescription "discount card".. Smoke & Mirrors...

Let's have camera crews accompany the oldsters to the pharmacy to capture the look on their faces when they find out that the "participating pharmacies" jacked the price up 20% and then give them a 15% discount :)

[newyawker99]

3. Yeah, I received a couple of those emails.

I hate spam!! :argh: