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Tell senators: Don't let 4 million retirees lose Rx drug coverage.

The U.S. House and Senate are conferring on legislation that would force many seniors into private managed care plans with unreliable prescription drug coverage and it could take away prescription drug coverage from 4.4 million retirees. Please fax your senators and representatives and urge them to remove these harmful parts of the bill.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Hurt Retirees With Rx Drug Coverage

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am very concerned about the Medicare reform and prescription drug legislation the U.S. Senate and U.S. House conference is considering right now. I want you to know that I oppose the legislation proposed because it will encourage employers to drop retiree coverage.

I urge you to support changes that would remove the part of the bill that discriminates against retirees with employer-provided coverage. They deserve at least the same benefits as regular Medicare beneficiaries.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that such a proposal will take prescription drug coverage away from 4.4 million retirees who have it today. With prescription drug costs soaring and millions of seniors forced to choose between buying medicine and buying food, this is unacceptable.

Employer-sponsored health plans are the single largest source of prescription drug coverage for retirees--the LAST thing we should do is encourage employers to stop providing it.

I am especially concerned that congressional leaders are trying to rush this legislation through without the careful consideration and debate such an important issue deserves. America desperately needs a Medicare prescription drug solution, but this legislation is the wrong choice.

I await your reply.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 19, 2003


Background Information

Prescription drug prices are out of control and millions of retirees can't afford the drugs they need--but the Senate committee in charge of Medicare is considering legislation that could make the problem worse, not better.

Rather than crafting a real Medicare prescription drug bill to provide real relief for America's seniors, senators are pushing a sham bill that would force many seniors into managed care plans with unreliable Rx drug coverage. Seniors who are sickest and require the most medicine could exhaust their coverage quickly and see their bills skyrocket when they need coverage most. That isn't insurance. That's unfair.

Their plan would also lead many employers to drop existing retiree prescription drug coverage. The Congressional Budget Office estimates a proposal like theirs could take away prescription drug coverage from 4.4 million retirees who have it today. This sham proposal puts benefits at risk for everyone who has or will have retiree prescription drug coverage sponsored by an employer.

Employer-sponsored health benefits are the single greatest source of prescription drug coverage for retirees, covering one in three Medicare beneficiaries. But only 34 percent of all large employers offered retiree benefits in 2002, down from 68 percent in 1988. Please let senators know the LAST thing we need is legislation encouraging employers to drop retiree drug coverage.

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