New Congressional Bill Assists Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
Published on 2007/07/26OAKLAND, CA - A bill introduced on Tuesday in the U.S. House of Representatives would make it easier for low-income Medicare beneficiaries to afford prescription drugs.
The Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (the CHAMP Act; H.R. 3162), makes a variety of beneficiary-friendly changes to the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit (Part D). Many of these changes are aimed at low-income beneficiaries who, even with Medicare drug coverage, have been struggling to afford their medications.
The bill would assist low-income beneficiaries by making it easier for them to qualify for “extra help.” Under Medicare Part D, beneficiaries who qualify for the ‘Low Income Subsidy’ pay reduced premiums and cost-sharing for their drugs. Unfortunately, a burdensome application process and strict asset limits have prevented many beneficiaries with modest savings from qualifying for the program. The CHAMP Act would set more reasonable asset limits and simplify application procedures. As a result, many more beneficiaries would be able to afford the drugs they need.
The bill also takes other important steps towards assisting Medicare beneficiaries and sustaining the program. The CHAMP Act would increase the availability of preventative services, equalize Medicare Advantage plan payments with those of traditional Medicare, provide needed relief to people with HIV/AIDS and give States authority to regulate agents and brokers who fraudulently market Medicare health plans. The Act also promotes the provision of linguistically and culturally appropriate services to Limited English Proficient Medicare beneficiaries.
“This important legislation will provide relief to millions of seniors and people with disabilities who are struggling to afford medically necessary prescription drugs,” said Kevin Prindiville of the National Senior Citizens Law Center. “Since Medicare Part D began, the need to improve the program has been obvious. The CHAMP Act takes important steps towards making the benefit work for all beneficiaries.”
“We have lots of clients who will benefit from this legislation.” said Anne Donnelly of Project Inform. “People who have had trouble qualifying for extra help, beneficiaries who can’t get service in their primary language, unsuspecting seniors and people with disabilities who were misled by unscrupulous agents selling Medicare plans; all of these people will benefit if this legislation moves forward.”
The CHAMP Act was introduced by Representatives Dingell (D-MI), Rangel (D-NY), Stark (D-CA) and Pallone (D-NJ) on July 24, 2007.
CONTACTS:
Kevin Prindiville, National Senior Citizens Law Center
(510) 663-1055, ext. 307; kprindiville@nsclc.org
Anne Donnelly, Project Inform
(415) 558-8669; adonnelly@projectinform.org
Kim Lewis, Western Center for Law and Poverty
(213) 235-2628; klewis@wclp.org
Randy Boyle, National Health Law Program
(310) 204-6010; boyle@helahtlaw.org
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