Congressional Corner: The Prescription Drug Plan—A Needed Medicare Update
Access to quality healthcare is something that Americans should be able to depend on.

House Moves To Close The Medicare Part D "Doughnut Hole"
New Congressional leadership is moving on their promise to eliminate the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole."

What’s The Advantage? Are Medicare Advantage Plans Saving You Money?
In the past five years, Medicare Part B premiums have climbed about 60% for beneficiaries.

Fixing Medicare Part D Tops Agenda Of New Congress
Lower Medicare prescription drug costs are a top item on the list for the new Congress.

Ask The Advisor: No Longer Enrolled In Drug Plan, Now What?
I just discovered that my 83-year old mother who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's is no longer enrolled in her drug plan. I was also told that the annual enrollment period is over and that she may have to wait until next November to enroll and then pay a penalty! This is outrageous! Mom used to get her prescriptions through our state Medicaid program. Last year she was transferred into a Medicare Part D drug plan, but got "Extra Help" that paid for her costs. We didn't have to do anything. Now what can we do?

Seniors Finding Big Cost Changes In Part D Plans
Seniors are hearing from their Part D drug plans and learning what their costs will be in 2007.

Social Security and Medicare Questions
I would like to know how to get “Extra Help” with my Part D drug plan.

Use Care When Switching Health Plans
Can I transfer back to Medicare in November?

Legislative Update - Paying Your Way Out of the Doughnut Hole? The Truth Behind Medicare Part D’s Coverage Gap
No other health insurance has ever been structured like Medicare Part D.

Social Security & Medicare - I am not happy with my drug plan.
First, I had no choice but to enroll with the Medicare plan that I already had under threat of losing my other supplemental health benefits if I chose some other insurer’s drug plan.

Six Ways To Save Hundreds That Your Drug Plan Won’t Tell You About
October and November is your best time to compare drug plans and switch if you find one better suited to your needs.

Are You Paying Too Much For Your Prescription Drug Coverage?
If you enrolled in a Part D drug plan, chances are you’re paying more for your coverage than you need to.

Social Security & Medicare Questions - Senior Citizens Being 'DUMPED' into Medicare Part D
Seniors who are in nursing homes, for example, who can no longer read or comprehend, are not able to choose for themselves.

Ask the Advisor - Valid Drugs Excluded From Medicare Part D Coverage
When I went to the doctor, he prescribed a prescription narcotic cough suppressant.

Escalating Medicare Costs Expected To 'Trigger' Cuts Next Year
TSCL Fights Immigration Legislation That Would Add Billions In New Costs

Legislative Update: More Needs To Be Done To Fix Part D
If Part D drug coverage is going to win over seniors, then much more needs to be done to ensure satisfaction with the program.

Medicare's "Doughnut Hole" Surprise Awaits
New enrollees of Medicare drug plans may be stunned this summer or early fall when their new coverage suddenly stops.

Ask Social Security & Medicare Questions: Under Medicare Part D
Q: Under Medicare Part D one pharmacist tells me my out-of-pocket total is $2,250. Can you tell me what this includes?

Government Reports Savings Under Part D, But More Hurdles Ahead
The early chaos of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program diminished in recent weeks.

Substantially Higher Part B Premiums in 2007 As Medicare Means Testing Starts
For the first time in Medicare's history, millions of seniors will be required to pay substantially more for their Medicare Part B premiums than other seniors next year.

Legislative Update: More Medicare "Sticker" Shock Ahead For Seniors
The "sticker" shock of higher than expected Medicare Part D costs for many seniors last January could be a preview of what lies ahead.

Social Security & Medicare Questions
Q: Do I understand correctly that Medicare beneficiares will be penalized 1% of the monthly premium per month for every month they are late in signing up for the Part "D" drug plan?

How to Shop Smart for a Medicare Drug Plan
The Initial Enrollment Period for new Medicare drug plans begins November 15th.

Legislative Update: Seniors Liable to Choke on new Medicare Prescription Drug Program
The red tape involved in the new Medicare drug program could choke the average senior.

Simplify Our Drug Benefit! TSCL Concerns Mount as Biggest Expansion in Medicare’s History Begins
The biggest expansion in Medicare’s history is underway, and the complicated new drug program is creating huge implementation challenges for Medicare and state Medicaid programs.

A Special Note To Advisor Readers From the Social Security Administration: You May Qualify for Extra Help to Pay for Prescription Drug Costs
Medicare's new prescription drug program goes into effect in January 2006. Open enrollment for the new plan runs from November 15, 2005, to May 15, 2006.

Social Security & Medicare Questions
Q: How will the new Medicare drug plans work? How can I learn what my expected costs will be?

Assistance For Medicare Drug Benefit Could Affect Food Stamps
Low-income seniors may literally have to choose between food or prescription drugs under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, even if they have never done so before.

Seniors to Receive Information on New Medicare Drug Benefit In October: TSCL Concerned That Seniors Will be Confused
"It takes a nuclear scientist to understand it." That's the reaction of a Washington senior after listening to a two-hour briefing on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit that starts January 1 next year.

Best Web Sites for Information About the New Medicare Drug Program
Later this fall, all Medicare beneficiaries will need to make a decision about whether to enroll in one of the new Medicare drug plans to receive the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Many States Rejecting New Requirement of Medicare Drug Benefit
Many states are "openly resisting" a provision of the new Medicare drug law.

Social Security & Medicare Questions: Does Your Prescription Drug Insurance Meet Medicare's Test?
Q: My husband and I already have good prescription drug insurance through his former employer. From what we have read we believe that what we have now is a better deal than one of the new Medicare drug plans. What do you recommend?

Legislative Update: Readers Weigh In On New Medicare Changes and Options to Fix Social Security
The results of TSCL's 2005 Advisor Senior Survey are in and we are listening.

Social Security & Medicare Questions
Q: My mother received a letter and long application from the Social Security Administration stating that she might be eligible for help paying for prescription drugs. She already receives her drugs through a local social services program where we live. Does she have to do anything? Mom has Alzheimer's and can't cope with this long form.

New Medicare Drug Plans Will Be Available Soon: Premiums and Coverage Vary
Seniors are likely to be besieged with a confusing welter of information this fall about the new Medicare prescription drug plans.

TSCL Believes Transition to New Medicare Drug Coverage May be "Chaos"
Medicare is scheduled to start covering prescription drugs January 1 next year.

Do You Qualify for Government-Provided Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance?
Watch your mailbox this summer.

Prescription Drugs Bills - 109th Congress

Delayed Medicare Enrollment Could Cost You Big
When should you enroll in Medicare Part B? Make the wrong enrollment choice, at the wrong time, and you may face a lifetime of premium penalties, or, no coverage at all.

H.R.328 The Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2005
Representative Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) has reintroduced the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2005, which would allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other industrialized countries.

Failure to Hold Vote on Reimportation Means Higher Drug Costs For Seniors
The Senate's failure to vote on a widely-supported bipartisan prescription drug reimportation bill means U.S. seniors will continue to pay drug costs that are two to four times higher than in other countries, says a national seniors issue advocacy organization.

Congressional Response: Representative Virgil H. Goode, Jr. (R-5th, VA) Responds To Your Petition About Drug Importation
I am a supporter of the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003.

Reimportation Bill Supported by TSCL Delayed In Senate
Prescription drug reimportation from countries with lower prices like Canada appears to have the support it needs in Congress to become law.

New Survey: 90% Favor Organization's Fight for Drug Reimportation
The battle for reimportation of less costly drugs from Canada is like "David and Goliath."

Legislative Update for Week of July 19, 2004
Access to inexpensive prescription drugs from Canada and other countries is an issue that TSCL has vigorously supported.

Ask the Advisor - How Can Imported Drugs Be Manufactured Cheaper Than In Our Country?
Most of our drugs were 'invented' here in this country, but I can't understand how they can be manufactured in other countries 'cheaper' than in this country. The drug manufacturers are profiting. I don't think the drug makers in this country should be allowed to 'hold us up! � A.W.

Medicare News Video `Covert` Propaganda
The General Accountability Office (GAO) has ruled that government news videos about the new Medicare prescription drug law violated federal propaganda laws.

TSCL - Serving Seniors For 10 Years - Battle Over Drug Re-importation Grows in Senate
A battle over prescription drug �re-importation� is shaping up in the Senate.

Legislative Update for Week of June 7, 2004
Prescription drugs are sold at such a high price in the United States, that many people go to Canada, or purchase them from Canada through the mail, in order to save money.

Seniors Urge Passage of Prescription Drug Reimportation Legislation
Alexandria, VA(May 17, 2004) - With more registered lobbyists than Members of Congress, the drug industry is heavily represented on Capitol Hill.

Legislative Update for Week of May 10, 2004
The TSCL legislative team of David and Betty Funderburk and Patty Gaul have spent much of the week on Capitol Hill lobbying on our legislative agenda for a fair and accurate COLA, Notch reform, and prescription drug reimportation.

Legislative Update Week of April 26, 2004
A drug a senior can't afford to take is neither safe nor effective, TSCL Vice Chair Dottie Holmes will say simply.

Legislative Update Week of April 19, 2004
As you know, TSCL continues to be a supporter and a proponent of drug importation as a way of lowering prescription drug prices for seniors.

Taking On The Pharmaceutical Industry; TSCL Recognizes Drug Importation Champion, Congressman Gil Gutknecht
Taking on the pharmaceutical industry is daunting for any politician. Drug companies spend millions in both campaign contributions and on lobbyists to persuade Members of Congress to protect their profits.

Legislative Update: State Pilot Projects Could Help Pave the Way For Safe Prescription Drug Importation
In recent weeks, TSCL’s legislative team has continued our efforts to see that the market is open to more affordable prescription drugs.

Medicare Drug Legislation Cost Estimate Rises, Collision Course Ahead
The cost of new prescription drug legislation may be far higher than the Congress originally expected.

New Medicare Bill May Violate Seniors' Rights to Import Cheaper Drugs (Press Release)
Alexandria, VA (March 24, 2004) -- "Seniors should ask their Members of Congress why a 74-year old senior couple from Illinois was forced to file a federal lawsuit challenging new Medicare legislation," says George Smith, Chairman of TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

Legislative Update Week of March 15, 2004
Dr. Mark McClellan has been confirmed to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Oklahoma City Town Hall Meeting on Prescription Drug Reimportation!
Please show your support for safe, more affordable prescription drugs by attending the Town Hall Meeting on Prescription Drug Reimportation.

Is The New Medicare Prescription Discount Card The Right Choice For You?
A Medicare-approved prescription discount card may save you money on your prescriptions, but it’s a good idea to compare your savings before you enroll.

Government Faces Huge Challenge Making Drug Plans Work
The new Medicare drug legislation presents the government with a huge challenge turning the complex legislation into a practical drug benefit.

Government Should Work to Ensure Safe Importation of Prescription Drugs
Alexandria, VA (March 12, 2004) -- "Seniors and taxpayers should be demanding to know why Congress is standing in the way of importing more affordable drugs."

TSCL Member Benefit: “The Best Discount Card By Far”
I‘ve been using the TSCL card (RxSavings Plus) which is by far the best.

Medicare Drug Benefit Archives