Kucinich: Eliminate Medicare Part D drug program

Former presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) last week introduced legislation that would get rid of the Medicare Part D drug program.

Under H.R. 6800, the Medicare Drugs for Seniors Act, Medicare beneficiaries could purchase drugs from approved foreign countries where drugs are significantly cheaper. The bill would also permit Medicare to negotiate drug price reductions with the pharmaceutical industry. Kucinich also advocates the elimination of co-pays, premiums and deductibles for Medicare beneficiaries.

Privatized drug plans under Medicare Part D have been given their chance and failed, Kucinich believes. He and his camp cite a recent report that finds that drugs cost up to 30% more under the privatized Part D than they do under the government administered Medicaid program (McKnight's 7/28).