Compare drug cards, officials tell seniors

Democrats continue to blast the benefits of the prescription program.
HARTFORD COURANT
WASHINGTON -- On the first day of enrollment, federal health officials urged Medicare beneficiaries Monday to take time to comparison shop before signing up for one of the new government prescription drug discount cards.
Republicans and Democrats, meanwhile, remained far apart on the merits of the discount cards, the first tangible benefit of the huge overhaul of Medicare that Congress approved last year. Even the size of the discount was disputed.
"It's important for beneficiaries and their family members to take the time they need to look into all the cards available," said Dr. Mark B. McClellan, who runs the Medicare program.
Prices incorrect
McClellan's comment, echoed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, came after several news organizations reported over the weekend that some prices were incorrect on a price comparison Web site the Bush administration set up last week.
Despite the apparent glitches, Thompson remained enthusiastic. "This is a first," he said. "Industry is competing online for the business of millions of Medicare beneficiaries, and those beneficiaries have now pooled their purchasing power to demand the best price."
Republicans fanned out across the nation Monday to defend the legislation and to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for the discount cards. Speaking in his hometown of Yorkville, Ill., House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said, "Can't we all agree that saving money is better than paying full price any day? These Medicare-approved discount cards will be an historic step forward for our entire Medicare program."
Democrats critical
Democrats hit the cards hard in a series of events. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, "The big drug and insurance companies control what discounts seniors will receive and how much they will pay."
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said, "The millions of taxpayer dollars that the Bush administration is spending to peddle its plan can't disguise the fact that seniors would get a better deal taking a bus to Canada to buy drugs at fair prices there."