Disappearing discounts.Byline: The Register-Guard There is one universally acknowledged bright spot in the otherwise deeply flawed flaw 1 n. 1. An imperfection, often concealed, that impairs soundness: a flaw in the crystal that caused it to shatter. See Synonyms at blemish. 2. Medicare prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, plan: Poor people stand to gain real financial help with prescription expenses if they sign up for the drug discount card program. A $600 annual subsidy for people making less than $12,500 a year - $16,800 for couples - comes in addition to any discounts available through the Medicare drug cards. But as with everything else associated with the unwieldy Medicare reform law, the prescription drug benefit is so confusing only 1 million of 7 million eligible low-income seniors have signed up for the cards. Beyond the additional subsidy for poor clients, drug card discounts available to seniors in general are pretty skimpy skimp·y adj. skimp·i·er, skimp·i·est 1. Inadequate, as in size or fullness, especially through economizing or stinting: a skimpy meal. 2. Unduly thrifty; niggardly. . A study released Tuesday by Rep. Peter DeFazio Peter Anthony DeFazio (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Oregon, representing the 4th Congressional District and is currently serving his 11th term. , D-Ore., confirms that it makes more sense for Oregon seniors to buy their prescription drugs on the Internet than it does for them to tackle the bewildering be·wil·der tr.v. be·wil·dered, be·wil·der·ing, be·wil·ders 1. To confuse or befuddle, especially with numerous conflicting situations, objects, or statements. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. Medicare drug card registration process. The study found that drug prices through the 32 Medicare discount cards available in DeFazio's 4th District were "virtually identical" to regular retail prices at Drugstore.com, a reputable rep·u·ta·ble adj. Having a good reputation; honorable. rep  u·ta·bil Internet discount pharmacy.
Two other findings of note: Medicare drug card prices were 61 percent higher than prices for the same drugs paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs is a term of the business that deals with the relation between a government and its veteran communities, usually administered by the designated government agency. and other federal agencies, which negotiate volume purchase discounts with drug companies, and they were 58 percent higher than retail drug prices in Canada. Study after study confirms that the 2003 Medicare Reform Act is itself in need of major reform. A legion of special interest lobbyists spent a combined $141 million in 2003 to ensure that the new drug benefit would primarily benefit private companies. The Medicare prescription drug program will continue to do a better job of boosting drug company profits than of serving seniors until the law is changed to allow the federal government to use its bargaining clout to negotiate lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries. |
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