Government Relations Action Alert

Urge the President and Congress to Support Meaningful Medicare Reform & Prescription Benefits

April 3, 2003

THE ISSUE AT HAND

President Bush announced his vision for Medicare reform, including the provision of prescription drug benefits during the State of the Union address earlier this year.  However, that speech provided very little in terms of details, and over time, details have emerged piecemeal from the White House.  Given the information recently provided by the Administration, NASW is extremely concerned about the future of the Medicare program.  The Bush Medicare reform proposal would create three options:  Traditional Medicare (fee for service), Enhanced Medicare, or Medicare Advantage.  No beneficiary would be forced to switch from his or her current Medicare coverage; any shift would be voluntary.  Each of the three options would provide some sort of prescription drug coverage.  However, the most comprehensive prescription drug benefit would be provided under Medicare Advantage plans, which would resemble managed care plans like HMOs.  It is disconcerting to NASW that the President's plan provides Medicare recipients with differing levels of incentives for prescription drug benefits for the three options, with the greatest incentives for the least generous and most risky of the options- Medicare Advantage.

Seven out of eight Medicare beneficiaries today are enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service plan.  Why should the President force them to change in order to receive adequate prescription drug coverage?

ACTION NEEDED

Please call, FAX, or email your U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to support meaningful Medicare reform including a comprehensive, affordable, and voluntary prescription benefit plan for all Medicare beneficiaries.  All Senators and Representatives may be reached through the Capitol Switchboard, 202-224-3121, or via NASW's Congress Web.

Once you've been connected to an office, be sure to ask to speak with the "Health Care Legislative Assistant" and ask him/her if the Senator or Representative will support a meaningful Medicare reform including a comprehensive, affordable, and voluntary prescription benefit plan.

SAMPLE SCRIPT

As a constituent, social worker, and member of the National Association of Social Workers, I urge Senator/Representative (name) to meaningful Medicare reform including a comprehensive, affordable, and voluntary prescription benefit plan for all Medicare beneficiaries.  This important initiative should not coerce Medicare recipients into joining subpar health plans just to obtain real prescription drug benefits.  Access to prescription drugs is important for all Americans, but especially those over 65 or who may be disabled-- they and us are counting on your strong support.  Thank you.