Post by bot on Jun 5, 2004 20:13:31 GMT -5
Focus groups: Medicare drug plan confusing
Friday, June 4, 2004 Posted: 11:05 AM EDT (1505 GMT)
www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/04/card.confusion.reut/index.html
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Elderly Americans and disabled people are confused and disappointed by the new Medicare drug law, according to a study released by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.
The report, based on 10 focus groups in three U.S. cities conducted by a bipartisan pair of pollsters, examined attitudes about the drug discount cards that went into effect this week and about the prescription drug benefit that will be available in 2006.
The elderly had a generally positive view of the overall Medicare program, which provides health care for all Americans from age 65 and many disabled people.
But they expressed dissatisfaction, disappointment and considerable confusion about the drug benefit -- even after being given more facts about it. More than one-half viewed the programs negatively after hearing a description, and about a quarter were positive.
They ranked the new drug programs on average "31" on a scale of zero to 100. That rose to an overall "36" rating once they got more information.
The Medicare law was enacted late last year after a long fight in Congress. Republicans hoped voters would give them credit in this election year for delivering on a promise to help the elderly afford medicine, but some Democrats say the program is so flawed it may turn out to be an albatross for Republican candidates.
Republicans have charged that Democratic misinformation and negativity are steering the elderly away from a potentially valuable benefit, particularly for poor people who can get $600 a year in subsidies in addition to the card discount.
Medicare has spent millions advertising the program and millions of people have called Medicare's toll-free number or clicked on its Web site, www.Medicare.gov, to get information. Yet fewer than 500,000 have signed up, plus 2 million others who get cards automatically through Medicare health maintenance organizations.
Medicare officials say more applications are in the pipeline. Medicare has 41 million beneficiaries, although many have drug coverage outside of Medicare.
"We're doing all we can to get out the facts," Medicare administrator Dr. Mark McClellan told reporters on a conference call. He also acknowledged some delays in getting cards to people who qualify for the low-income assistance.
The focus groups, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, were held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Kansas; and Washington.
Friday, June 4, 2004 Posted: 11:05 AM EDT (1505 GMT)
www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/04/card.confusion.reut/index.html
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Elderly Americans and disabled people are confused and disappointed by the new Medicare drug law, according to a study released by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.
The report, based on 10 focus groups in three U.S. cities conducted by a bipartisan pair of pollsters, examined attitudes about the drug discount cards that went into effect this week and about the prescription drug benefit that will be available in 2006.
The elderly had a generally positive view of the overall Medicare program, which provides health care for all Americans from age 65 and many disabled people.
But they expressed dissatisfaction, disappointment and considerable confusion about the drug benefit -- even after being given more facts about it. More than one-half viewed the programs negatively after hearing a description, and about a quarter were positive.
They ranked the new drug programs on average "31" on a scale of zero to 100. That rose to an overall "36" rating once they got more information.
The Medicare law was enacted late last year after a long fight in Congress. Republicans hoped voters would give them credit in this election year for delivering on a promise to help the elderly afford medicine, but some Democrats say the program is so flawed it may turn out to be an albatross for Republican candidates.
Republicans have charged that Democratic misinformation and negativity are steering the elderly away from a potentially valuable benefit, particularly for poor people who can get $600 a year in subsidies in addition to the card discount.
Medicare has spent millions advertising the program and millions of people have called Medicare's toll-free number or clicked on its Web site, www.Medicare.gov, to get information. Yet fewer than 500,000 have signed up, plus 2 million others who get cards automatically through Medicare health maintenance organizations.
Medicare officials say more applications are in the pipeline. Medicare has 41 million beneficiaries, although many have drug coverage outside of Medicare.
"We're doing all we can to get out the facts," Medicare administrator Dr. Mark McClellan told reporters on a conference call. He also acknowledged some delays in getting cards to people who qualify for the low-income assistance.
The focus groups, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, were held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Kansas; and Washington.