Posted 2/26/2004 12:00 PM Updated 2/26/2004 11:56 AM
Poll: Older patients unaware of
new Medicare drug benefit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Almost
70% of elderly Medicare recipients don't know the program's
new prescription drug benefit has been signed into law,
according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A majority of those surveyed have an unfavorable
impression of the drug benefit, which the President signed
into law in December. About 55% said their impression is
unfavorable, compared with 17% who held a favorable
impression. The remainder had a neutral impression or no
impression at all.
Among those who knew the Medicare drug benefit had
become law, an even greater percentage — 73% — had an
unfavorable impression. Only a minority of those polled said
they understand the benefit very well, leading researchers to
conclude that many older Americans may be vulnerable to
political grandstanding.
"The lack of understanding of the prescription drug law
makes it ripe for political demagoguery on both sides as we
enter the election season," said foundation president Drew
Altman. "The president will say he delivered a good
prescription drug law, and the Democratic candidate will say
it's a bad law. How are seniors to judge?"
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