Medi-Minutes

Lack of Drug Coverage Expensive for Seniors

Two recent studies show that seniors without prescription drug coverage spend more money for medication than those who have insurance.  In fact, many elderly who lack drug coverage forego necessary treatments due to cost.

American seniors without prescription drug coverage paid an average of $463 in 1996 for medication—83% more than those with insurance—according to a study by the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which operates Medicare and Medicaid.  According to another study by Jan Blustein of New York University, seniors with high blood pressure are 40% less likely to purchase medication for their condition if they lack prescription drug coverage.

President Clinton has proposed a 10-year, $195 billion Medicare drug benefit for all 40 million elderly and disabled participants in the program.  Leading Republicans in the House and Senate support a drug benefit, but contend it should only be available for poor Medicare beneficiaries.  Drug makers, who fear such a program would lead to drug price controls, oppose it altogether.