Health policy report: the struggle to reform Medicare

Article Abstract:

Medicare reform is recognized as a fiscal necessity by both political parties, but beyond a shared belief that encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in managed care plans is a good idea, Republicans and Democrats are still at odds. Republicans have proposed numerous reform measures that would give beneficiaries more choice in deciding where they get their care, in essence treating Medicare as if it were an insurance company and placing the impetuous of cost control on the beneficiaries by imposing various out-of-pocket fees for certain services are used. Democrats, less beholden to the AMA and insurance companies, are less willing to alienate Medicare beneficiaries, and are targeting cost control through managed care. The AMA has sided with the GOP, but only out of necessity, as physicians are likely to see some decrease in Medicare billing regardless of the political outcome.

Political activity, American Medical Association, Health care reform

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Prescription-drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries

Article Abstract:

The congressional bills that create a Medicare prescription drug benefit are described. Both bills have other non-drug sections that would increase Medicare payments to doctors rather than decrease them. Other sections propose to improve the efficiency of Medicare by encouraging or requiring doctors to order and transmit all prescriptions electronically.

Legal issues & crime, Government regulation (cont), Government regulation, Legal/Government Regulation, Drugs Reimbursement Benefits, Laws, regulations and rules, Prescription drug plans

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Medicare and prescription drugs

Article Abstract:

A Medicare prescription drug benefit would cost $1.5 billion between 2001 and 2010. For this reason, its passage by Congress is not certain and the pharmaceutical industry will oppose price controls and the extension of the federal supply schedule to Medicare.

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