Claire McCaskill: A Leader On Our Side

Medicare Part D

As a former Prosecutor and as Missouri's State Auditor, Claire McCaskill has proven that she has the strength and independence to fight for our interests in the U.S. Senate. With prescription drug costs skyrocketing and a new Medicare Part D drug benefit confusing our seniors, Missouri needs Claire McCaskill in Washington to stand up to the big drug companies to reduce the high cost of prescription drugs and fix the flaws in the new drug program.

STANDING UP TO THE BIG DRUG COMPANIES

Limit the Tax Breaks for TV Ads that Drive Up Drug Costs. The amount big drug companies have spent on advertising and the price of prescription drugs have both increased dramatically in recent years. Right now, the money drug companies spend on advertising can be written off as a business expense. Claire McCaskill would limit the tax deduction for prescription drug advertising to help get drug costs down.

Get Lower-Priced Generics to the Market Quicker. The high cost of prescription drugs affects every American, yet our elected leadership has allowed big drug companies to take advantage of regulatory loopholes to prevent less expensive generic drugs from getting to consumers. By closing these loopholes, Claire McCaskill will cut down the prices of prescription drugs by as much as 60%. A larger dose of generic drugs will go a long way to keep the nation's healthcare bill from growing even larger.

Reduce the Influence of Drug Company Lobbyists. Claire McCaskill has introduced a comprehensive lobbying reform plan that will reduce the influence the big drug companies' high-paid lobbyists and diminish their ability to shape legislation to the benefit of those who pay their bills.

REDUCING DRUG COSTS FOR ALL AMERICANS

Allow Medicare to use its bulk purchasing power to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices. This practice is currently used by the Veterans' Administration, but is actually prohibited in the new Medicare program. Studies show that prices negotiated by the VA are 80% lower than the average plan offered through Medicare D. Claire McCaskill supports using the bulk purchasing power of Medicare's 42 million beneficiaries to help reduce drug costs.

Allow all Americans to re-import lower-priced prescription drugs from other countries. As long as strict safety standards are met, Americans should have the ability to re-import less expensive medicines from other countries.

FIX THE FLAWS IN MEDICARE PART D

Extend the Enrollment Period and Create Flexibility. Legislation must give seniors and people with disabilities the time they need to navigate the confusing enrollment process and allow them to change plans once during this first chaotic year.

Get Seniors their Drugs. Legislation must ensure that seniors and people with disabilities immediately receive the drugs they need at prices they can afford under the terms of coverage they have been promised.

Guarantee Seniors' Coverage. Ensure that no senior will be forced into an HMO or will lose their retiree drug coverage, Medicaid or Medigap coverage as a result of this plan.

Reimburse Seniors, States and Pharmacies. Legislation must also fully reimburse states, pharmacies, and beneficiaries who have been forced to pay more than they should have during this botched transition. This should be done without a complicated new bureaucracy so states can be reimbursed directly without forcing them to go to dozens of insurers and then navigate the red tape waiver process.

Keep the Drug Lists the Same. Beneficiaries are locked into the plans they choose for the full year. The President should require those plans to cover the drugs they say are on their formularies at the prices they advertise so beneficiaries don't face a bait and switch when they go to get necessary medicines.

Allow Seniors to Switch Plans if Plans Change on Them. Under current law, beneficiaries are locked into their plans for the year, even if the plans change the drugs they offer or even drop drugs from their formularies. The plans can change, but Seniors can't change with them. Medicare beneficiaries whose plans increase prices by 10% or whose plans change formularies should be allowed to choose a new plan. Seniors should have 60 days after they are notified by their plan of a formulary change to choose a new plan.