S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
REQUESTING THE 106TH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO PASS LEGISLATION TO ADD A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT TO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, The lack of outpatient prescription drug coverage is a major gap in Medicare; and
WHEREAS, One third, 13.5 million, Medicare beneficiaries have no prescription drug coverage; and
WHEREAS, The beneficiaries who have prescription drug coverage incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses; and
WHEREAS, Sixteen states have twenty percent or fewer firms and no state has more than 30 percent of its firms offering health insurance to retirees; and
WHEREAS, Medicare managed care plans offer no prescription drug coverage in fifteen states and only limited prescription drug coverage in Rhode Island; and
WHEREAS, Those without drug coverage are slightly more likely to be of age 75 and over; and
WHEREAS, Many poor beneficiaries do not have assets low enough to qualify for Medicaid or have incomes above Medicaid income guidelines, but below the Federal Poverty Level; and
WHEREAS, The lack of prescription drug coverage forces senior citizens of fixed income to "split pills" or to go without medication both having disastrous consequences on their health and lifestyle; and now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Senate here by requests that the 106th Congress of the United States of America pass legislation to add a Prescription Drug benefit to the Medicare program; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to the United States Congress.