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Considering that the Medicare Component D drug benefit was unveiled, it has confirmed to be even more confusing and inefficient than its critics predicted. Even seniors who have been in a position to register for the program need to still struggle with a $3,000 gap in rewards coverage and a hefty monthly premium.

Currently the government has had to adjust the plan: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Solutions reversed an earlier decision prohibiting new Medicare prescription drug strategy recipients from participating in free or subsidized drug applications medicare and medicaid fraud sponsored by pharmaceutical producers.

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

The Bush administration claims that its new benefit is a great deal for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid. Yet most men and women will spend not only a $250 deductible, but also 25 percent co-insurance coverage on the next $2,000 in covered drug costs. And add roughly $32 a month per person for a monthly premium.

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

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

Private firms are already taking action. A group of pharmaceutical organizations announced a strategy named "Bridge Rx," which will help seniors trapped in the $3,000 hole afford their medicines. Seniors will get drug discounts of at least 50 percent in exchange for a 15 percent co-pay.

Washington should also act by letting those medicare charges for 2011 who qualify for subsidized pharmaceutical manufacturer applications like Bridge Rx - but who concurrently spend a monthly Part D premium - count the complete worth of their medications' formulary price toward the $three,000 gap.

The goal of the Medicare prescription drug system was to help seniors, not generate revenue for insurers and medicare medical equipment pharmacy benefit managers. It really is time to deliver on the promises that had been made.