Posted by janejane on December 29, 2009, at 6:16:45
In reply to Re: generic prozac manufacturer preferences, posted by mtdewcmu on December 29, 2009, at 0:34:10
> > Also medicaire doesn't pay for benzos they are all out of pocket. You don't submit claims for them just pay the pharmacist. Phillipa
>
> Well then I wouldn't expect any of that to change with this bill. No one is going to take away your ability to buy name brand drugs with your own money.
>I read that they had negotiated with manufacturers for brand-name drugs to be half price for Medicare recipients starting next year. They also plan to close the so-called doughnut hole (read article below for details). So there should actually be easier access to branded drugs through Medicare compared to how it is now.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/17/medicare-doughnut-hole/
And just to clarify, there would probably be Medicare budget cuts, but they wouldn't directly affect beneficiaries, mostly insurance companies. Seniors would actually get more benefits under the reform bills, like free preventive care.
I don't usually like to talk politics (touchy subject) but thought I would share this info since I think many seniors are getting scared about this when they probably shouldn't. AARP has actually endorsed both the house and senate plans and you know they have seniors' best interest at heart. My Mom will for sure save money if it passes. There are definitely some things in both reform bills that I don't like, but for seniors, I think it will be mostly positive.
poster:janejane
thread:930300
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091227/msgs/931384.html