Good for Mississippi

By Staff
June 22, 2003
U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering late last week heralded congressional committee action as the first major step in bringing Medicare into the 21st century. After several days of marathon sessions, the House Energy and Commerce Committee endorsed a broad package of improvements.
Pickering, who serves on the committee, which has jurisdiction over the Medicare modernization legislation, also said the bill would:
Brings Medicare reimbursement stability to health care providers;
Allow seniors to enroll in drug plans that cost about $35 a month with a $250 deductible. The government would share the cost for the first $2,000 of drug expenses by covering 80 percent of what a senior would normally pay.
Protect seniors savings from depletion due to high drug costs. Once a senior has met the $3,700 catastrophic stop-loss cap in out-of-pocket expenses, Medicare will cover 100 percent of the drug's cost.
Provide a subsidized premium benefit for low income seniors of $2 to $5 dollars for prescription drugs.
Certain rural health initiatives are also included, which will be especially meaningful in Mississippi.
All in all, it looks like a good piece of work on a highly controversial issue.