Baldwin Calls for Action to Fix Prescription Drug Program
Baldwin Calls for Action to Fix Prescription Drug Program
January 13, 2006
Cites Life-Threatening Urgency for Some Patients
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today joined with Senator Russ Feingold and some other members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation in calling for immediate attention to the life-threatening problems facing some Medicare beneficiaries under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. In a letter to Medicare Administrator Mark McClellan, the legislators cited examples of potentially life-threatening injury to patients due to insufficient enrollment procedures in the plan that went into effect on January 1st.
"I'm deeply concerned that Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving the attention and medical care they require due to an extremely poor roll-out of this complex plan," said Baldwin. "There are many problems, but the bottom line is the same: people in need of medications do not have access to them. This situation is serious and must be remedied immediately."
A summary of problems collected by Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy's Disability Benefit Helpline (printed below) details trends in problems this organization is hearing and cites specific and deeply troubling examples, including the case of a 43 year old man with a blood disorder who will likely die within a week if he cannot receive the medication he needs.
A copy of the letter to Dr. McClellan, signed by Baldwin, Feingold, Sen. Herb Kohl, Reps. Dave Obey, Gwen Moore, and Ron Kind, follows:
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
January 13, 2006
Mark McClellan, Administrator
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Room 445-G, Hubert Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Dr. McClellan,
As the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is implemented in our state, we are deeply concerned about the many problems beneficiaries are having. As you know, state governors have enacted safety net programs for elderly and disabled people who are unable to obtain medications under the Medicare program. We are writing to inquire what you plan to do immediately in response to these many problems, and we request that you give attention to this matter as soon as possible.
We have heard from advocacy organizations and constituents in our state that Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving drugs they need under the prescription drug plan. The problems are multi-fold, but the bottom line is the same: people in need of medications do not have access to them. Examples of situations we have heard about include a 43-year old man with a blood disorder who called advocates threatening suicide because he was unable to access his drugs. He will likely die within the week if he cannot receive his medications. There are numerous individuals who have left the pharmacy without their prescriptions because they were mistakenly charged the standard $250 deductible although they were eligible for the low income subsidy. Advocates are convinced that injuries and fatalities will occur within days among those who find themselves without access to medications or the funds necessary to cover the costs out of pocket. This is especially true for the most vulnerable populations who face extraordinary health, transportation, and financial barriers.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a contingency plan last month that outlined the procedures to be taken should problems occur for Medicare beneficiaries accessing their drugs under Part D. It is clear that this plan is not properly addressing all of the problems that beneficiaries are facing. Organizations and pharmacies in the state are unequipped to administer an adequate safety net for all of the Medicare beneficiaries encountering problems. We ask that you take immediate action to help individuals in need and that you inform us of the measures you will take.
We are deeply concerned that vulnerable populations across the country are facing the possibility of further debilitation or injury due to lack of access to their prescription drugs. This situation has reached emergency status, and we ask that you treat it as such.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter, and we look forward to a prompt response.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tammy Baldwin
Sen. Russ Feingold
Sen. Herb Kohl
Rep. Dave Obey
Rep. Gwen Moore
Rep. Ron Kind
http://tammybaldwin.house.gov/pr_display_page.asp?page=pressreleasedisplay&type=1&releaseid=451&pageno=1