Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Help Medicare stragglers

President Bush was in Hillsborough County on Tuesday to talk about something other than Iraq and high gas prices. But even his supposedly safe topic - the Medicare prescription drug benefit - isn't without controversy. Republicans say the program is a complete success, while Democrats call it "problem-plagued."

The truth, as usual, lies somewhere between. After a start that was definitely problem-plagued, Medicare has recovered. While it is still a challenge to understand the many choices, the program is mostly a hit with retirees, which doesn't play into the Democrats' campaign script.

Republicans, on the other hand, don't want to admit any problems ahead. While the benefit is particularly a boon to those who had no drug coverage, a gap in coverage (called the doughnut hole) hasn't hit those recipients yet. The gap begins after $2,250 worth of drugs, and many recipients will have to pay the next $2,850 out of their own pockets. At that point, the Democratic argument might sound less like sour grapes.

What brought Bush to the area, however, is the looming deadline. After Monday, Medicare recipients who haven't chosen a drug plan will be penalized when they do. Premiums will increase by 1 percent a month, and since drug coverage after May 15 won't begin until January 2007, that means at least a seven month (or 7 percent) penalty for those who sign up after Monday.

Democrats want to extend the deadline so that latecomers aren't penalized, but Bush rejected that idea in a speech Tuesday at Sun City Center, saying "deadlines help people understand there's finality." A Medicare spokesman said the looming deadline will motivate 1.5-million to make a decision this week.

Maybe, but about 6-million Medicare recipients have failed to make a choice, and most of them are low income, living in rural areas or both. Medicare says it will waive the penalty for low-income recipients who wait too long. Democrats are trying to equate the penalty to a tax increase on the poor.

Both sides should stop playing games with the benefit. It has worked better, so far, than its detractors predicted. But by holding firm to the May 15 deadline, Republicans will hurt retirees who haven't understood the urgency to make a choice. By the way, anyone seeking more information or to apply for the drug benefit can call 1-800-633-4227.

The drug benefit will need to be tweaked in coming months and years, and Congress could start by giving stragglers a little more time. This is, after all, about helping those who most need the help.

[Last modified May 10, 2006, 06:20:19]