by
Astrid Fiano, DOTmed News Writer | June 03, 2010
Other News
In other health reform news, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced last week that the first checks for rebate on the Medicare Part D doughnut hole will be sent June 10. (See DM 12754.)
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Last week, HHS mailed Medicare beneficiaries a brochure entitled, "Medicare and the New Health Care Law--What It Means for You." The brochure explains improvements in Medicare due to health reform. The brochure was announced during a news conference that included Sebelius and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Speaker Pelosi stated during the conference: "We are here to draw attention to a critical piece of mail our seniors will get this week. This four-page brochure outlines the new benefits in health reform for Medicare recipients...One of our top jobs is to clear up confusion and correct misinformation around health reform. This brochure for seniors is a good place to start."
However, many Republicans have been critical of the brochure. Senator John Thune (R-SD) joined several other senators in sending a letter to Sebelius stating they were concerned over taxpayer dollars being used to send an "inaccurate and misleading brochure."
The letter goes on to point out what the senators say are misstatements in the brochure, for example: "...in the first paragraph, the brochure claims that the new health care law will result in 'increased quality health care.' Yet Medicare's Chief Actuary noted that, absent legislation to intervene and correct the payment cuts in the new law, some providers would 'end their participation in the program' with the effect of 'possibly jeopardizing access for beneficiaries.'"
The letter concludes with questions for Sebelius on how the brochure was created and who was involved in its drafting.
Read More Details
The Medicare brochure is available at: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467.pdf
Speaker Pelosi's remarks are available at: http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=1715
Senator Thune's remarks and the text of the senators' letter is available at: http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=d748d1e0-59e8-45dc-84db-37195306ceb3&Month=5&Year=2010
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