by Senator Maria Cantwell

The new year is a time to look ahead, and for many Washington seniors that means enrolling in or changing Medicare drug plans. The open enrollment period began last month, and beneficiaries have until Dec. 31 to choose or switch plans. If you are newly eligible, or are seeking to change your current prescription drug plan, now is the time to examine your needs and make an enrollment decision before the Dec. 31 deadline. Be sure to consider any new coverage gaps or health conditions when making your decision.
If you have questions about signing up for a prescription drug plan, you may contact Medicare toll free at 1-800-MEDICARE, or visit their Web site at www.medicare.gov. For further assistance, you should call the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors HelpLine at 1-800-562-6900, or visit them online at www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/SHIBA_HelpLine.
Unfortunately, since the new Medicare drug benefit was launched last year, it has encountered numerous obstacles: awkward implementation, a slew of shortsighted bureaucratic rules, and unnecessarily harsh penalties. Even with the new benefit in place, drug and insurance costs have continued to climb and access has continued to decline. From November 2005 to April 2006, almost all Medicare drug plans raised their prices for most of the top 20 drugs prescribed to seniors. The prices for most top-selling medicines have risen by 6 percent or more this year.
With the new year approaching, its time to take what we have learned and improve upon this program. Its time to make sure our seniors get the care they deserve-the best care possible.
I believe we need to embrace real competition for the drug companies and fair prices for our seniors. That means giving the government the power to negotiate with drug companies. A Medicare drug benefit with negotiated prices, similar to the process used by the Veterans Administration, would save the government and its 43 million beneficiaries $600 billion by 2013.
As we improve the Medicare prescription drug program, we also need to make healthcare more affordable and more available. Every year, I visit all of Washingtons 39 counties, and everywhere I go I hear from families struggling to pay their medical bills. I meet business owners unable to provide their employees the coverage they need, and health care providers working to deliver quality care in spite of cuts to important programs.
Because this issue is critical for Washington families, Im proud to be taking a seat on the Senate Finance Committee when the new Congress convenes in January. This committee assignment will give me a greater opportunity to address our healthcare safety net, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. Ill be working to make these programs operate more efficiently and with better results, including lowering prescription drug costs.
With new leadership in both the House and Senate, we have an opportunity in the next Congress to reform the Medicare prescription drug law, move innovative ideas forward, and expand access to health care.