Medicare prescription drug benefit (2004)

The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit was thought to be an advantage for people who signed up for the Medicare Part D. However, it looks like it could have been damaging to their out- of- pocket spending. According to a survey presented to seniors that were enrolled with the Medicare Part D, were not receieving benefits that other people with drug coverage were recieving. For example employer-sponsored coverage or benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Typically, seniors that have drug coverage or less likely to deal with high cost month payments or to have to miss a prescription beacuse they can't afford the cost. However, 1 out of 3 low-income seniors say that they are having to pay about $100 a month for their prescriptions. This can be very costly after a while, especially when having to pay all of the other bills. The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit was originally supposed to be a good thing, but to a majority of seniors, it is affecting then poorly.