Compassionate Cruelty

The Bush Administration (and right-wingers) are shady - for a number of reasons....one of them being this absurdly non-comprehensive prescription drug plan.

The Washington Post reports about some of the difficulties with the bill, the biggest problem though wasn't really mentioned. The bill - only provides coverage up to ~$2,200 (at 70%) and then stops covering everything until the beneficiary reaches $5,000 (after which it covers 95%) - so there's a $2,800 hole that the beneficiary has to pay entirely out of pocket.

And - here's the best part - Medicare can't use it's buying power to try to negotiate lower prices from the drug companies....

Lastly - the beneficiary can't procure supplemental insurance for that $2,800 hole - the bill prohibts supplemental insurance as a condition of signing up.

Who was this Bill written to benefit? The drug companies get to maintain the status quo.....and recipiants get only quasi-coverage. I guess this was the most efficous bill that the Republicans could tolerate, you know - you've gotta protect corporate america - who cares if grandma has to stop buying medications after she reaches her $2,200 annual limit.