Media/Bush say 38 M now benefiting from Drug Plan - but 3 M low income

[papau]

folks reject the plan that would be "nearly free" - and only 21 M formerly with no drug plan people now have the Medicare drug plan.

It will be interesting to see if the media uses the 21 M REAL number, or goes with Bush's 38 Million number in the evening newscasts.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-medicare17may17,0,3411635.story?track=tottext

From the Los Angeles Times
Numbers in Drug Plan Contested
As Medicare deadline passes, the White House hails a coverage rate of 38 million. But 3 million remain unsigned.
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Times Staff Writer

May 17, 2006

WASHINGTON — A day after the deadline to sign up for the new Medicare drug program, Bush administration officials Tuesday declared it a clear success, but 3 million low-income seniors who could benefit most from its subsidies remained on the sidelines.

<snip>
Stark also charged that the administration is "playing a numbers game" with estimates that imply more than 38 million seniors are benefiting from the program. The number refers to those with any drug coverage, not only those enrolled in Medicare prescription plans.

There are a total of 42.5 million elderly and disabled Medicare beneficiaries. Of the more than 38 million the administration claims credit for, roughly 21 million are enrolled in private plans providing the new drug benefit. Another 7 million are retirees in corporate plans now partly subsidized by Medicare.

The remaining number have coverage from a variety of sources. Some are still working and are covered by employer plans.

Others are federal retirees with government coverage. And others have coverage from a former employer that is not coordinated with Medicare.