Medicare Beneficiaries Report Cost Savings
Three-fourths of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the drug benefit say paperwork to sign up was easy to complete, and almost two-thirds say the program saves them money, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll, the Washington Post reports. The poll is based on telephone surveys from April 6 through April 9 of 1,229 randomly selected adults, including 386 respondents ages 65 and older. According to the poll:
- 41% of all respondents approve of the drug benefit, and 45% disapprove;
- Among respondents ages 65 and older, 50% approve of the benefit, compared with 41% who disapprove;
- About 56% of Republican respondents approve of the benefit, while about 56% of Democrats disapprove;
- Seven in 10 respondents ages 65 and older think the May 15 enrollment deadline should be extended;
- Six in 10 respondents age 65 and older say they do not know much about the program; and
- 59% of respondents say the drug benefit will be important to their vote in the upcoming election, compared with 83% who say Iraq will be important and 80% who say the economy will be important (Birnbaum/Deane, Washington Post, 4/12).