Saul Friedman on Medicare's Drug Plan

While doing my morning reading at Politics-Line.com, I came across this article by Saul Friedman entitled "Here we go, down the hole, chasing a Part D drug plan", it's a recommended read that points out some disturbing information:

Despite the pleas of 43 million Medicare beneficiaries for a prescription drug benefit, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says less than

5 percent (1 million) of the 21 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries with little or no drug coverage had enrolled in a Part D prescription drug plan as of Jan. 1.

In a misleading announcement that was close to a lie, CMS said that 21 million Medicare beneficiaries now have drug coverage. But 20 million already had coverage from former employers, the VA, their HMOs and other sources. That means 95 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who need coverage have yet to decide whether and how to enroll. During the first 11 months after passage of original Medicare in 1965,

93 percent of those eligible had enrolled.

Other important points are raised, especially concerning the prices/benefits of some of the drug plans offered.