Under the rebate program, the savings that would accrue to the government wouldn't benefit current Medicare Part D beneficiaries as the program does currently.

It is also among the most well-liked programs currently run by the federal government, enjoying an approval rating among seniors in excess of 90 percent. According to the CAHC letter, Part D premiums could increase by 20 to 40 percent if the program were shifted to a rebate approach.įurther, according to Joel White, CAHC's executive director, Medicare Part D is one federal program that has come in well under its estimated costs – by as much as $400 billion since the program was first launched in 2003 as part of the Medicare Modernization Act. Of concern, the groups noted, would be an expected shifting of costs for prescription drug medications to the seniors who now use the program, who are living on very low incomes. So policy makers need to hold on to the program as an example of how government can do a better job and not to be used as a bargaining chip.' 'It is providing a valuable service that keeps costs down for taxpayers and Medicare beneficiaries. 'Medicare Part D is an amazing example of a federal program that is actually working,' said Jay Timmons, president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers, on a conference call arranged by the Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) to announce the broad-based opposition to any change in Medicare Part D. More than 350 healthcare, patient, veterans and business organizations on Tuesday urged Congressional leaders to reject any proposal to turn the Medicare Part D plan into one that resembles the rebates structure of Medicaid drug programs.

Hands off medicare