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The creation of the Medicare program in 1965 was a tremendous
accomplishment. With Medicare, for the first time Seniors could count
on financial assistance from the government for their hospital and
doctors visits, medical equipment and home health care. Because
of this program older Americans would never again have to face a
terrifying future with no health care coverage. And since that time,
millions of elderly and disabled citizens have come to know and trust
the quality health care that Medicare ensures them.
Unfortunately over the past few years Medicare premiums for seniors
have skyrocketed. the Social Security COLA Protection Act that
would ensure that no more than 25 percent of a beneficiary’s annual
Social Security COLA could be taken away by increases in Medicare
premiums. This bill will ensure that seniors retain a majority of
their COLA to cover price increases in other goods and services such
as food, clothing and housing.
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What's New:
Implementation of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act
While Senator Leahy opposed the bill that
created this program because it does more for drug companies than our
country’s seniors, the Administration’s poor implementation of the
benefit is now a primary concern. An example of this is a
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report issued May 3, 2006 which
found that callers to the Medicare helpline seeking assistance in
signing up for or understanding the new benefit have routinely been
given inaccurate and incomplete information. The confusion surrounding
this program is unacceptable given that the Administration has had over
2 years to prepare to implement the program and to explain the details
to seniors, pharmacists, and health care providers.
May 15, 2006 was the final day to enroll
in the Medicare prescription drug plan without being charged a permanent
financial penalty. Seniors who have not signed up must now wait until
November 15, 2006 and will pay a penalty each month for coverage that
would begin January 1, 2007. Over the past several months, Senator Leahy
has made repeated efforts to extend this deadline and allow seniors to
sign up until the end of 2006. Senator Leahy is a cosponsor of
S.1841, a bill that would allow seniors to sign up until the end of 2006
with no financial penalty. |
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Advocacy for Medicare Benefits
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Comments - Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Senate and House Votes To
Override The President’s Veto Of The Medicare Reimbursement Act July 15,
2008
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Release
- Leahy And Jeffords Push For Fixes To Medicare Drug Benefit Plans -
January 20, 2006
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Release
- Leahy Backs Bill To Give Seniors Greater Leeway, Plus One Penalty-Free
'Do-Over,' In Enrolling In Medicare Drug Benefit Plans - November 16,
2005
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Letter - To Head
of Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services Regarding Medicare Reimbursement For
Doctors - May 6, 2004
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Letter - To Comptroller
General of the United States General Accounting Office Regarding Threats
to Medicare Actuary - March 18, 2004
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Other Medicare Websites
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If you or someone you know is having a
problem with Medicare or Medicaid, please call Senator
Leahy's Burlington office at 802-863-8585. |
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