CNN Discussing Medicare Donut Hole

[stopbush]

Saying roughly 3 million seniors are getting the bad news this month. And, the CNN reporter gave a simple explanation
of the donut hole as:

• only first $2200 of prescriptions are covered

• seniors are then responsible for all other prescriptions up to an additional $3600

• after seniors pay the $3600 OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS with NO government assistance, all other prescriptions are
paid for by the gov.

Imagine going through this every year on a fixed income?

[Dr.Phool]

1. You forgot to mention that they have to keep paying premiums

All during the "donut hole", and get no coverage for it.

And these savvy Republicans scheduled it to kick into effect 2 months before the elections.
:rofl:

[eleny]

2. Interesting timing, huh?

We were at the pharmacy the other day picking up hubby's scripts. We're not on Medicare and have a deductible with our Rx insurance, so he had to pay a hefty amount. The pharmacist asked if he was in the donut hole. I thought it was an odd question since he's only 53. But I guess it was her first thoughts upon seeing his tally.

[REP]

10. I'm 41 and Would Be In The Hole, If I Didn't Have Additional Coverage

I'm on ... 8 daily meds (diabetes, non-diabetic kidney failure and migraine) plus assorted antibiotics for a chronic renal infection. Some of my meds are not available as generics and are very expensive; almost all my antibiotics are name-brand due to my extensive and unfortunate drug allergies. I went into the hole in March but fortunately I have private coverage in addition to Mediscare, so I still just pay my regular co-pay for my prescriptions. If it weren't for this coverage, I'm not sure what the hell I'd do - the most expensive one is for my kidney disease, and not attempting to treat it really isn't an option.

[KingFlorez]

3. Very terrible situation

I know man who is a World War II veteran, he had diabetes, high blood pressure and had legs amputated due to diabetes. If he didn't have veteran benefits to go along with his medicare, he'd be in big trouble under this plan.

[whistle]

4. So, seniors on say diabetes meds and those expensive heart mediations

...could run $20.00 to $30.00 per day for brand prescriptions while generics might save they 35% to 45%. That would only be three to four months of coverage, after which they would slip into the donut hole and stay there for the rest of the year. I can see a lot of seniors cutting their pills in half or just going without their medications.

[rodeodance]

5. this donut hole is explding about now (this time of year).

[LibDemAlways]

6. My repuke lite Sen. Feinstein voted for this

travesty. She's a multi-millionaire and fully covered by the generous plan afforded members of the House and Senate. She'll never know the despair felt by a senior who can't afford the prescription drugs he needs because of the stupid-ass plan she voted for that was nothing but a giveaway to the drug companies. It's a goddamned shame she had no serious competition in the primary this year because she deserves to be booted out on her sorry ass.

[leftchick]

7. more like a Black Hole

all is going according to norquists plan. Next up is Social Security.

[rrasile]

8. Drug Addicted

If our friends at Walmart can fill a 30 day prescription from a list of almost 200 drugs for 4 dollars then how do we explain the cost we pay for plan D coverage.
This only shows that it is possible to administer a fair program if we wish to.
I think that every working stiff that glance at the deductions from his pay check should question if they will ever receive the benefits promised , then leave your message in the voting booth.
If they haven't fixed it yet, then they never will.
Kick their ass out of congress and put some fresh young American in their places.

[stopbush]

9. ??? What BS.

WalMart will sell prescriptions as a LOSS LEADER to get consumers into their stores. They did it with music product, they do it with
a lot of other products. It proves NOTHING about being able to administer a fair program, especially on a nationwide level.

Sure, prescription drugs are overpriced - thank you, Rs! The R Congress had the chance to develop a fair program, but they voted for
bush's anti-people policy.

BTW - it CAN be fixed, but not with Rs like Ah-nold vetoing the will of the people on single-payer as he did last week, and certainly not
with Rs controlling the government and paying off their debts to their camapign contributors in the pharm industry.

Further BTW - I have no "friends" at WalMart. And I don't shop there, ever!

[mcscajun]

11. It's only generic drugs that are covered, and only 200 of them at that

when there are THOUSANDS of prescription drugs out there.

Walmart is doing this for a) the good publicity when they desperately need it and b) as a loss leader to get more people into their stores.