title: Notes of a policy watcher: the Medicare Drug Plan.
abstract: The Medicare Modernization Act, signed into law by President Bush in December 2003, provides for new prescription drug benefits to those enrolled in Medicare. This new benefit will provide many seniors with improved access to medications and should thereby improve outcomes of care. The benefit is complex, though, and we are currently in a transition period. The text discusses current benefits and drawbacks of the Medicare Modernization Act Drug Plans as well as what is planned for 2006.
authors.affiliation: North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo 38804, USA. modell@nmhs.net
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Dell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence