Health Reform Moves to Close U.S. Medicare Drug Gap.

[elleng]

Democratic leaders moved on Friday to build support among the elderly for a massive overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, saying the measure would immediately start closing a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

The coverage gap, the so-called doughnut hole, occurs after a certain amount of money is spent. This year that level is $2,700 of which $896 is out of pocket expenses by the beneficiary. Coverage begins again once drug costs reach $6,154.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the healthcare reform bill being considered by the House of Representatives would reduce the that doughnut hole and lower the cost of medicine for as many as 4 million elderly next year.

"As of January 1, 2010, our legislation will give a 50 percent discount for brand-name drugs to recipients in the doughnut hole, and it will reduce the size of the doughnut hole by $500," Pelosi said.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/23/us/politics/politics-us-usa-healthcare-medicare.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Great. Now how about being able to NEGOTIATE for cheaper prices?

[SharonAnn]

2. That small change ($500) in the doughnut hole is not nearly enough.

And, even if they reduce by 50% the cost of brand-name drugs to recipients in the doughnut hole, they're still in the doughnut hole for $3,000 worth of expenses. That's on top of the monthly premiums and the $900 in out of pocket expenses before they get into the doughnut hole.

[TexasObserver]

3. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

good article