Advocacy Groups File Suit Over Part D and Dual Eligibles
From the AP via the Seattle Post Intelligencer:
Eight advocacy groups asked a federal judge on Monday to ensure thatno elderly or disabled Americans lose access to their prescriptiondrugs as they enroll in the new Medicare drug plan.
Thegroups filed the suit on behalf of about 6.4 million people who qualifyfor Medicare as well as Medicaid because of their incomes. Theirearnings are usually well below the poverty level. Nearly 40 percenthave dementia or other impairments.
Medicaid, a state-federalpartnership, now covers most of their prescription drug costs. But,beginning on Jan. 1, Medicare will undertake that role.
Theadvocacy groups are concerned that some of the “dual eligibles” will nolonger be able to obtain drugs, either because they weren’t enrolled ina drug plan or they could not understand communications about their newcoverage.