“This handbook is further proof that the Republican leadership in Washington is not the least bit interested in the welfare of America’s seniors,” said Berry. “The Administration let pharmaceutical companies call the shots during the Medicare debate, and is now using the Medicare handbook to mislead seniors into choosing private health care plans. Our government has a responsibility to make this handbook consumer friendly so that seniors can make informed decisions about what is best for them and their families.”

The most significant omission of the “Medicare and You” handbook is its failure to mention the “doughnut hole” in prescription drug coverage. This provision requires beneficiaries to pay all drug costs that fall between $3,600 and $5,100. Health experts estimate that one in four seniors who sign up for the Medicare program will fall into this hole.  

The handbook also does a poor job of explaining the vast array of benefit plans offered through the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Although seniors have the option of remaining with the traditional “fee for service” program administered by CMS, the handbook fails to distinguish this option from the other private benefit plans. By combining all the plans together, the handbook is likely to confuse many seniors about their options.

Congressman Berry was a strong opponent of the Republican Medicare reform legislation which passed Congress in November of 2003. As a member of the conference committee, he fought for a fair prescription drug benefit that would keep the cost of prescription drugs down for America’s seniors.