8039 AMH ERIC KNUT 232

SJM 8039 - H AMD 1014

By Representative Ericksen

   On page 1,line 8, beginning with "WHEREAS" strike all material through "medications." on page 3, line 14, and insert the following:

   "WHEREAS, the Washington state legislature has failed to address the underlying causes to the rising cost of health care, which has led to an increase in the number of uninsured and underinsured in our state; and

   WHEREAS, on December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act was signed into law, which established the largest entitlement program, Medicare Part D, since the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, along with the very successful health savings accounts; and

   WHEREAS, Nearly one million residents of Washington state receive health coverage through Medicare and thus became eligible to purchase prescription drug coverage through the Medicare Part D program on January 1, 2006; and

   WHEREAS, the Medicare Part D program introduces market based principles into a government program that has increased competition that has resulted in lower than expected premiums, and offers beneficiaries choice in selecting a prescription drug plan that meets their individual needs and budget; and

   WHEREAS, many Medicare beneficiaries who did not previously have prescription drug coverage, now have the opportunity to receive assistance with their prescription drug costs; and

   WHEREAS, as of January 13, 2006, 61,233 Washington state citizens had enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan stand-alone plan (excluding dual Medicaid-Medicare eligibles), the majority of these individuals did not previously have prescription drug coverage, or had substantially less prescription drug coverage; and

   WHEREAS, as of January 13, 2006, an additional 72,341 Washington state citizens had enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan that now includes a prescription drug benefit which is generally much more extensive and does not include caps on coverage that were common in these plans prior to the implementation of Medicare Part D. Enrollees in Medicare Advantage Plans now save an average of about $100 in out-of-pocket costs compared to traditional Medicare; and

   WHEREAS, enrollment in Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans continue to increase each month; and

   WHEREAS, the Medicare Part D program utilizes electronic prescribing, which enables a physician to transmit a prescription electronically to a patient's pharmacy of choice. This not only can be easier for the physician, pharmacy, and patient than paper prescriptions, but it also can improve patient safety and reduce avoidable health care costs by decreasing prescription errors caused by hard-to-read handwriting and communication errors, and by automating the process of checking for drug interactions and allergies; and

     WHEREAS, some individuals have experienced difficulties in choosing a Medicare Part D plan and/or in the transition to a Medicare Part D plan; and

   WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working cooperatively with individual citizens, states, and organizations involved in or effected by Medicare Part D to resolve problems arising out of the implementation of this large and complex entitlement program.

   NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Congress and the Administration continue to work cooperatively with individual citizens, states, and organizations involved in or affected by Medicare Part D to enhance the programs success in providing prescription drugs to the senior and disabled citizens of our country.

   AND FURTHERMORE, we request that Congress and the Administration continue the progress underway towards consumer directed health care, such as widening access to health savings accounts.

      BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington."

EFFECT: Requests Congress and the Federal Government to continue working cooperatively with individuals, the States, and organizations to enhance the Medicare Part D prescription drug program for senior citizens and disabled adults.