Will the nation’s voters be in the mood for change in November? The issues cited as most potentially defining are Iraq (25 percent called it our nation’s top problem in a new AP-Ipsos poll), the economy (21 percent) and the ethics scandals (14 percent). But if there’s a “throw the bums out” issue right now, it may be the debacle of the first two weeks under the Medicare prescription drug plan. A few kinks in the transition were to be expected, given that the program covers 43 million seniors and disabled Americans. But the government had two years to get ready. It’s a disgrace that the launch has been so erratic that 20 states, including Kansas, have had to step in to help get recipients their essential medicines, and that President Bush just had to order insurers to provide 30 days’ worth of drugs to beneficiaries. Heads should roll.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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12 Comments
A good, long, thorough head lopping session is WAY past due, I agree.
It’s clear by now that if we voters don’t hold our government accountable then nobody will.
Because they obviously don’t do accountability any more.
There are a lot of people going without badly needed medications right now. People can’t afford to “be patient” when their life could be on the line. For those of us doing medication management for the disabled, it’s been a nightmare, and we know how to access the system. Pity the poor and elderly who have no one to advocate for them.
We need a cartoon of Bush being a bush and a dog eyeing him.
Poor, poor pharmacists….cry me a river!!
Just be glad you don’t work in a pharmacy right now, Joe. Your life would be hell.
A friend of mine has this posted on her blog referencing a 12-13-05 public meeting exchange with Shrub on the drug program.
A WOMAN IN AUDIENCE ASKED: “I don’t really understand. How is the new plan going to fix the problem?”
VERBATIM RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT BUSH:
‘Because the — all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There’s a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those — changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be — or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It’s kind of muddled. Look, there’s a series of things that cause the — like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate — the benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those — if that growth is affected, it will help on the red.’
So there ya have it. An explanation straight from the horse’s….
Makes ya wanta revive the wise-ass Cheney line: “Thanks for clearing that up.”
Ksfarmgrrl, you owe me some asprin! That gave me a headache.
Geez, Farm Gal,I have trouble believing that even somebody as stupid as Bushllit believes THAT!”Does that make any sense to you?”Nope!
The whole program is running as smooth as his explaination. It’s been a nightmare for those who had to make the transition from Medicaid to Medicare D.
Da,I’ve heard some real horror stories from people trying to make the switch from Medicaid to Medicare D. It was enough of a nightmare just to enroll in “D.” I had tried first to enroll on line, and the sites were continually jammed up and nonfunctional. So, over the course of two and a half weeks, I spent over ten hours on hold, listening to the most godawful hold music ever composed, only to get cut off over and over! That doesn’t include the innumerable hours spent trying to get past the busy signal to get on hold. Three times, I got a live person. Twice, they took my information and put me on hold, where I got cut off! Finally, I got put on a hold that somebody answered, and completed my application. I still haven’t heard back from them- hope it didn’t get lost!I hope it gets better as they get kinks ironed out, but I’m not holding my breath!
It’s been a nightmare. Last week I spent over 2 hours at one pharmacy just trying to get one of my clients in their system. He had been almost 3 days without his medication for his breathing treatment that he takes 4 times a day for his severe and chronic lung disease. I was determined not to leave until he was in the system and I had his meds in hand to deliver to him myself. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the elderly and disabled to try and navigate this impossible system by themselves. I don’t think those in charge of this mess realize how critical it is for many people who lives depend on getting their medications everyday.