US administration pulls back on Medicare drug benefit proposals

[riky]

US administration pulls back on Medicare drug benefit proposals

<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/u-administration-pulls-back-medicare-drug-benefit-proposals-164650554--sector.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/BYoRkLZ4t2nwXGuYdVr0NA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9NzU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-03-10T175453Z_3_CBREA270GZ900_RTROPTP_2_USA-HEALTHCARE-MISSISSIPPI.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Applications are seen at a rally held by supporters of the Affordable Care Act in Jackson, Mississippi" align="left" title="Applications are seen at a rally held by supporters of the Affordable Care Act in Jackson, Mississippi" border="0" /></a>By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration, in an abrupt about-face, said on Monday it would drop proposed changes to Medicare drug coverage that met wide opposition on grounds they would harm health benefits for the elderly and disabled. Late last week, more than 370 organizations representing insurers, drug makers, pharmacies, health providers and patients urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to withdraw changes it had proposed for Medicare Part D. One of the federal government's most successful and cost-effective healthcare programs, Part D provides drug benefits for the elderly and disabled through private insurers to 36 million enrollees. Critics said the changes, if adopted in coming months, could not only undermine Part D benefits but impact drug benefits available through Medicare Advantage, a program that allows Medicare beneficiaries to obtain their major medical coverage through private insurers. We will engage in further stakeholder input before advancing some or all of the changes in these areas in future years,&quot; CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner advised in a letter sent on Monday to members of the Senate and House of Representatives.</p><br clear="all"/>

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