Medicare: Prescription Drug Proposals

Publication Date: June 2000

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Health

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Abstract:

The Medicare program provides significant health insurance coverage for its 39 million aged and disabled beneficiaries. However, the program fails to offer protection against the costs of most outpatient prescription drugs. President Clinton has offered a Medicare reform plan (S. 2342). A key component of this proposal is the establishment of an optional prescription drug benefit for all beneficiaries. Another Medicare reform plan (S. 1895) has been introduced by Senator Breaux (formerly co-Chairman of The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare) and Senator Frist; this measure provides access for Medicare beneficiaries to high option plans with drug coverage. The Senate Democrats have introduced a measure similar to the President’s plan.

A number of other bills whose primary focus is prescription drug coverage for the Medicare population have been introduced in the 106th Congress. This report provides an overview of the President’s plan and the legislation introduced to date in the 106th Congress. It will be updated as additional bills are introduced. It will also track any legislative action. This report is a supplement to CRS Report RL30147, Medicare: Prescription Drug Coverage for Medicare Beneficiaries.