The Medicare Part D Program

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the proposed Medicare Part D legislation, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate discounts or fix reference prices with the drug industry. However, the paper explains there are problems with this bill. After reviewing the many influences that affect this bill, the author proposes additional legislation to cover the doughnut hole gap in the current bill and for negotiating drug pricing under this program.

Table of Contents:
History and Legislative Influences: Medicare Part D
Legislative Influences
Economic Principles
Legislative Influences
Regulatory Influences
Government Role: Medicare Part D
Government Influences
Society's Relationship
Effects on Population Subgroups
Elderly Population
Disabled Population
Macroeconomic Impact
Healthcare System
Impacts of External Factors
Solutions to Mitigate Impacts
Final Proposal Medicare Part D
Proposal for Coverage Gap Changes
Negotiating Drug Pricing
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The basic structure of Medicare Part D has an extensive social and legislative history, which is helpful to understand. The MMA of 2003 was finally bringing prescription drug coverage to the seniors of America. In 1965, Medicare was signed into law. During the 1960s, pharmaceuticals were not as critical to healthcare as they are today. There were not as many medicines available and the drugs, which were available, had less therapeutic benefits."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anderson, R., Rice, T., & Kominski, F. (2001). Changing the U.S. Health Care System: Key issues in Health Services Policy and Management. (2nd. Ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved February 10, 2009 from University of Phoenix, HCS521--Healthcare Infrastructure Course Web site.
• Bagchi, A. D., Esposito, D., & Verdier, J M (Summer 2007). Prescription drug useand expenditures among dually eligible beneficiaries. Health Care Financing Review, 28, 4. p.43(14). Retrieved March 21, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale database.
• Balotsky, E. R. (2009). Where strategy and ethics converge: Pharmaceutical Industry Pricing Policy for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries. Journal of Business Ethics: Supplement, 84, 75-88. Retrieved March 21, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1637721371).
• Healthcare Editors/Government Writers. (2009, February 13). New Study Measures Effects of Medicare Part D on Prescription Drug Use, Cost Sharing for Senior Beneficiaries. insurancenewsnet.com. Retrieved March 8, 2009, from http://www.insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?a=top_lh&neID=20090213290.2_ce4b009
• Campbell, J. (2008). History and Basics of Medicare. National Alliance of Medicare Set-Aside Professionals. Retrieved March 8, 2009, from http://www.namsap.org/articles.html

More papers on The Medicare Part D Program:

• Research Paper # 98914 : "Medicare Part D"
• Term Paper # 138582 : "Impact of Medicare Part D"
• Analytical Essay # 114225 : "Medicare Part D"

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