The Policy Process Part 1

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The Policy Process Part 1
HCS/455
Trisha Abbott
February 3, 2014

Medicaid helps out with millions of people in the world. It gives insurance to the children that are in need of insurance and to families that are more in need the most. Medicaid covers a big amount of different policies such as part A, B, C, and D. Elderly people are challenged to pay for medications. Medical part D was a policy that was created to meet the needs of elderly trying to pay for medications.
` January 1, 2006 Medicare Part D came in effect. The reasons for Medicare part D are to help cover prescription drug cost. Medicare part D covers generic prescription and name brand drugs offered at pharmacies. In order for anyone to be eligible for Medicare part D; they must also be a part of Medicare part A or B for the new drug coverage (Copeland Insurance, 2014). The reason for the plan was to help low income people that needed help paying for their drug claims. The policy got started when it was first introduced to the House of Representatives in June 25, 2003. The bill was introduced in on June 25, 2003 by Dennis Hastert. On June 25, the bill was debated and it was apparent the bill would be very divisive. On June 27 a vote was taken on the floor. On June 26 the senate passed its version of the bill. The bill was unified in conference then on November 21 the bill then went back to the house for approval. The bill was then losing because there were people that changed their vote but as they went back and forth and trying to get others to change their mind on what their vote was the house leadership went ahead and left the vote open for hours as they sought two more votes. After hours of keeping the vote open finally the bill was passed on November 25, 2003 and then the bill was signed by president bush on December 8, 2003. The different stages of the bill were in December 08, 2003 executive signed. November 25, 2003 senate conference reported adopted. On November 22, 2003 house conference report adopted. July 7, 2003 senate bill passed. June 27, 2003 house bill passed, and on June 25, 2003 introduced. People began to get services for Medicaid part D January 1, 2006. Anyone that has Medicare is able to get prescription drug coverage (Medicare D, 2013). People that are over 65 years old and older also have to be a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen. If someone is under the age of 65 but has a disability such as end stage renal disease also known as (ESRD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Medicare D, 2013). Every member will get a card mailed to them so they can have the card to get their prescriptions filled. Some people that even have the coverage depending on what coverage they have they still might have a co pay or deductible if they are charged by the plan. The cost of Medicare coverage will depend on how many drugs one person is on, the plan someone chooses, and weather someone qualifies for help. All plans are different so that means all cost will be different. There are some drug plans that charge no premium (Medicare D, 2013). There is a yearly deductible. The yearly deductible would be the amount you would pay before the plan will begin to pay anything. There are some plans that do not have deductibles. Deductibles will vary between Medicare plans. In 2013 there was no Medicare drug plan that would have a deductible over $325. There was copayments and coinsurance which this would be the amount someone would pay for their prescriptions after a deductible (Medicare D, 2013). If someone has a deductible they are required to pay their share before the plan will pay their share. Medicare has different cost for all different drugs. Some people belong to a Coverage plan such as HMO or PPO. There is also a something called the service gap. The coverage gap means after the plan that has been chosen has paid a certain amount of money than the rest of the cost will be paid by the person with coverage.