Press Releases
June 26, 2003
Conrad Backs Prescription Drug Plan
Includes Conrad's Plan to Assist Rural Hospitals, Clinics
Washington -- Saying that some prescription drug coverage is better than none, Senator Kent Conrad today supported a measure to give seniors citizens the first drug benefit in the history of the Medicare program. In addition to the drug benefit, the bill adopts legislation Conrad wrote to improve Medicare payments to hospitals in North Dakota and other rural states, and help patients who self-inject drugs they need for chronic illnesses.
Conrad said the Medicare prescription drug benefit was not a perfect proposal, but would help thousands of North Dakota seniors who currently have no drug coverage.
"For example, a senior who has about $14,000 in yearly income, or a couple with less than $19,000 in yearly income would see 90 percent of their drug costs covered. That's about 40 percent of the seniors in North Dakota. For seniors who have larger incomes, Medicare will cover half of yearly drug costs between $276 and $4,500 per year. And for those with drug costs of over $5,800 a year, Medicare will cover 90 percent. Put it all together, and this bill can be very helpful for a lot of North Dakota seniors."
"I don't want to oversell it. This is not a Cadillac plan, or even a Chevy plan. It's the bare bones, but it is a step in the right direction," he said. "Prescription drugs can help people live longer, healthier lives, and seniors on Medicare should have access to them."
The Senate bill, which passed late Thursday night, includes Conrad's H-CARE legislation to increase Medicare reimbursements to rural hospitals, and help them attract and retain top doctors, nurses and other professional staff.
The H-CARE measure will bring more than $70 million to North Dakota hospitals over the next ten years, and help many keep their doors open. Conrad also teamed up with Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley in the bill to increase Medicare reimbursements to rural clinics, nursing homes, emergency medical service providers and doctors who serve in rural areas.
"The gap between Medicare payments to rural vs. urban health care facilities has not kept pace with the real-world costs of delivering health care in rural areas. This won't solve all our problems, but it will go a long way to keep rural health care services healthy," he said.
Another provision Conrad wrote will give Bismarck hospitals the same "wage index" used for hospitals in the eastern part of the state, since they compete for the same pool of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. Currently, they receive 18 percent less than the hospitals in the east.
The legislation also includes Senator Conrad's bill to give dialysis treatment centers inflation updates under Medicare, so they can keep pace with costs; and his bill to provide drug coverage under Medicare for patients who self-inject drugs for chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Currently, such drugs are covered only when administered by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility.
"Above and beyond the prescription drug benefit for seniors, this bill has a range of improvements for every health care provider in North Dakota - hospitals, clinics, doctors, nursing homes, and emergency medical services," he said.
