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Since the Medicare Portion D drug benefit was unveiled, it has proven to be even more confusing and inefficient than its critics predicted. Even seniors who have been in a position to register for the plan have to nevertheless struggle with a $three,000 gap in positive aspects coverage and a hefty monthly premium.

Already the government has had to alter the system: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services reversed an medicare fraud report earlier choice prohibiting new Medicare prescription drug plan recipients from participating in free of charge or subsidized drug programs sponsored by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

But we can not quit there. The reversal fails to count the complete worth of these prescriptions toward seniors' $three,000 obligation, an expense that could put numerous in the poorhouse.

The Bush administration claims that its new benefit is a good deal for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid. But most folks will pay not only a $250 deductible, but also 25 percent co-insurance coverage on the next $two,000 in covered drug fees. And add roughly $32 a month per individual for a monthly premium.

In addition, the new Medicare strategy needs each and every senior to cover 100 percent of the costs over $2,000 till catastrophic coverage kicks in at $five,100.

We can and need to close the holes that might ruin seniors' fiscal well being as they try to preserve their physical health.

Private organizations are already taking action. A group of pharmaceutical businesses announced a strategy called "Bridge Rx," which will assist seniors trapped in the $three,000 hole types of medicaid afford their medications. Seniors will get drug discounts of at least 50 percent in exchange for a 15 percent co-spend.

Washington ought to also act by letting those who qualify for subsidized pharmaceutical manufacturer applications like Bridge Rx - but who concurrently spend a common types of fraud monthly Part D premium - count the complete value of their medications' formulary price toward the $three,000 gap.

The purpose of the Medicare prescription drug plan was to assist seniors, not create revenue for insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. It is time to deliver on the promises that had been produced.