Cost estimates vary but suffice it to say the initial 'estimate' of $400B over 10 years was a high-fiber load of epic proportions designed to slide it past Republicans that didn't want to vote for it and Democrats that would have voted for anything.
The real ballpark at passage was north of $500B and current estimates range 700-800B . . . accordingly it should probably be renamed the Pharmaceutical Company Subsidy Act, Mother of All Corporate Welfare Act, or How to Blow a Hole in the Budget with a Midnight Vote Act.
Regardless, this turd is here for at least another election cycle. So let's look at what the old farts are saying about the program and how Republicans and Democrats are spinning.
Medical News Today
One survey in April showed overall most old codgers were getting their daily fix with few problems . . . something north of 80%. Amongst enrolles 48% had a favorable opinion of the program.
A different survey noted 28% had a highly favorable view and an additional 35% had a somewhat favorable view.
The top poll reached a satisfaction level of 65%.
As for costs in APRIL, 42% said they were paying less for meds and 19% were paying more.
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I cannot find the polling data but a mid-summer tally IIRC noted approval rates had surged to over 40% very satisfied and an additional 30% being satisfied with the program. Naturally, CMS/McClellan/GOP pols were crowing about those numbers.
AP via Yahoo
Democrats (and other left-center interest groups) were saying here comes the doughnut. The coverage gap during which people with high drug costs would have to shoulder the ENTIRE cost of their med regimen PLUS continue paying premiums despite not getting any coverage. Early (partisan) estimates were for 7 million but it looks like it will be closer to 3.5m. Anyway, the number of people hitting the doughnut will ramp up through the fall . . . just in time for elections.
AP via Yahoo
Naturally, Republicans are clamoring to find a way to blunt the fallout so they are weakening import restrictions on Canadian meds and are undoubtedly heartened (if not colluded) by WalMart's program . . . started in old voter-heavy Florida.
I mention the lies, damn lies, and statistics b/c the favorable ratings on Medicare Part D rely on the same subterfuge as the cost estimate for the program. In essence, you ask people how well it works . . . during a period where they are getting something for nothing. Why? Because even though the doughnut will 'likely' affect less than 10% of beneficiaries . . . they will be a LOUD 10% when they have to pay something for nothing during the last 3 months of the year. Further, unless WalMart's program is HUGELY successful, the number of beneficiaries that get a Krispy Kreme initiation will increase due to an aging, sickly population and the unsustainable inflation in drug costs.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The real ballpark at passage was north of $500B and current estimates range 700-800B . . . accordingly it should probably be renamed the Pharmaceutical Company Subsidy Act, Mother of All Corporate Welfare Act, or How to Blow a Hole in the Budget with a Midnight Vote Act.
Regardless, this turd is here for at least another election cycle. So let's look at what the old farts are saying about the program and how Republicans and Democrats are spinning.
Medical News Today
One survey in April showed overall most old codgers were getting their daily fix with few problems . . . something north of 80%. Amongst enrolles 48% had a favorable opinion of the program.
A different survey noted 28% had a highly favorable view and an additional 35% had a somewhat favorable view.
The top poll reached a satisfaction level of 65%.
As for costs in APRIL, 42% said they were paying less for meds and 19% were paying more.
--------
I cannot find the polling data but a mid-summer tally IIRC noted approval rates had surged to over 40% very satisfied and an additional 30% being satisfied with the program. Naturally, CMS/McClellan/GOP pols were crowing about those numbers.
AP via Yahoo
Democrats (and other left-center interest groups) were saying here comes the doughnut. The coverage gap during which people with high drug costs would have to shoulder the ENTIRE cost of their med regimen PLUS continue paying premiums despite not getting any coverage. Early (partisan) estimates were for 7 million but it looks like it will be closer to 3.5m. Anyway, the number of people hitting the doughnut will ramp up through the fall . . . just in time for elections.
AP via Yahoo
Naturally, Republicans are clamoring to find a way to blunt the fallout so they are weakening import restrictions on Canadian meds and are undoubtedly heartened (if not colluded) by WalMart's program . . . started in old voter-heavy Florida.
I mention the lies, damn lies, and statistics b/c the favorable ratings on Medicare Part D rely on the same subterfuge as the cost estimate for the program. In essence, you ask people how well it works . . . during a period where they are getting something for nothing. Why? Because even though the doughnut will 'likely' affect less than 10% of beneficiaries . . . they will be a LOUD 10% when they have to pay something for nothing during the last 3 months of the year. Further, unless WalMart's program is HUGELY successful, the number of beneficiaries that get a Krispy Kreme initiation will increase due to an aging, sickly population and the unsustainable inflation in drug costs.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I bet those same Republicans who crucified Hillary would vote for it if Bush proposed it. 
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