Medicare Part D: The 'D' stands for 'dumb'

Congressman John Larson said he would introduce a bill to reform the Medicare Part D prescription drug law, penalizing drug companies if they fail to live up to the promises they make to seniors.

Larson, who voted against the drug bill, now said he will fight to change it. Seniors have until May 15 to sign up for one of 44 plans here in Connecticut, although there are as many as 60 different plans being offered nationwide.

"What if your plan doesn't offer the drug your doctor prescribes? What are seniors living in nursing homes on Title 19 to do?" asked Larson.

"Get up and rob a bank," chortled one senior as he ate lunch while Larson spoke Tuesday to about 30 seniors at the South End Senior Center.

Larson is pushing for seniors to have a two-year time period in which to choose a drug plan. Once they sign up. They pay a monthly premium that can be deducted from Medicare payments. The new plans cover those who need up to $2,250 in prescriptions, but for those spending over than amount up to $3,500, the amount where it becomes covered under 'catastrophic' conditions drug coverage does not go above the $2,250 ceiling. Larson referred to that as the "donut hole" in the plan.

Connecticut lawmakers wrapped some new legislation around the Medicare Part D law to help protect state seniors, the congressman noted.

"You may change your provider once. But the drug companies can drop the medication you need, and then if you have to change plans you are penalized. But the plans can drop the drug you need, and they don't have to pay a penalty. On top of that, the government is taking money from Social Security to pay the poor drug companies to advertise their plans to you. Now isn't this a wonderful piece of legislation?" said congressman mockingly.

The town' Senior Services department recently relocated into the South End Senior Center and the town has two full-time staff members who are available to explain Medicare Part D.But Larson said his bill faces a tough battle. Republicans pulled out all the stops to pass the Medicare drug bill holding the vote open 'until they could twist enough arms," Larson said, from 2:22 to 5:30 a.m. It passed by one vote. Larson also noted a paragraph on page 59 of the 700-page bill blocks the director of health and Social Services from negotiating directly with drug companies, as happens with veteran's drug needs.

"I guess that's what happens when you have five drug company lobbyists for every senator."

Larson said the Medicare Part D law needs to be changed. How? "Elect Democrats to congress. I'm serious," said the East Hartford Democrat.

"My father would invoke the Holy Family's name. ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph Pauline. Who won the war?’ Well, the nations we defeated in war provide better benefits to their elderly than we do."