But prescription drugs are often expensive. The average senior pays $450 each year in out-of-pocket drug expenses. Twelve percent of Medicare beneficiaries have drug bills of $1,000 or more. Ninety-eight percent of health plans today offer some prescription-drug benefits, yet Medicare does not.
The plan I have proposed begins with $48 billion to provide an immediate helping hand to low- and moderate-income seniors. Seniors with incomes of $11,300 or less–$15,200 for couples–will have the entire cost of their prescription drugs covered, immediately. The government will pay most of the drug costs for seniors with incomes less than $14,600, or $19,700 for couples. This plan includes a $6,000 yearly limit on out-of-pocket drug expenses for all seniors of every income.
I will also allocate $110 billion to modernize Medicare. Every health plan that participates in Medicare will be required to offer prescription-drug coverage. Low-income seniors will have 100 percent of their premiums paid. Moderate-income seniors will get substantial help, and every senior will have at least 25 percent of their premium costs paid by the government.
My plan gives seniors options like those enjoyed by 9 million current and retired federal workers. Seniors will get a book that lists various health plans and compares their benefits. Seniors can choose to remain in the current Medicare system, with no changes, or they can choose a different plan that better meets their needs. Some seniors may visit the doctor frequently, and might want a plan with a low co-pay for office visits. Others might want a plan that provides the lowest-cost prescription drugs.
My proposal lets seniors choose, while Vice President Gore’s proposal forces seniors who want drug coverage into a government-run plan for prescription drugs. When fully implemented, the Gore plan requires seniors to pay monthly fees totaling $600 a year in addition to their existing Medicare premiums. My opponent gives seniors only one chance to choose their prescription drug plan, at age 641/2. The Bush plan for a modern Medicare with more choices and free prescription drugs for low-income seniors is a healthy prescription for America’s families.
