Reports of changes
being made in formularies for
Part D prompts inquiry by TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com, call
for seniors to submit instances of changes
St. Louis,
MO—Daniel Hines, publisher of
TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com, says that reports of changes in
the formularies—the prescriptions available to seniors—of the
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Card plan have prompted requests
for additional information on what changes have been made, the
reasons for the changes and how the changes were approved.
www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com is a leading informational web site
for America’s seniors, attracting more than one million unique
visitors, generating 2.5 million page views and more than four
million hits annually.
“The Medicare
spokesperson verified that changes can indeed be made to a plan’s
formulary,” Hines said, “but only if there is a replacement or
generic drug available.””
“Because of the
problems in determining the extent of formulary changes and their
potential harmful impact upon the health of the elderly
participants, we are appealing to seniors who have had their
medicine changed or perhaps even denied to share their experience
with other seniors by emailing their story to
todaysseniorsnet@sbcglobal.net , “ Hines continues.
He notes that
during his conversation with the Medicare spokesperson, he was told
that Medicare administrators want to be made aware of any denial of
prescription medicines that might have occurred, or to make sure
that seniors’ rights were protected and changes were made according
to carefully defined procedures.
“We will forward
any record of changes to policy makers and administrators,” Hines
said. He said that he is also soliciting seniors’ advocacy groups
across the nation to make such information available to
www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com .
“Medicare Part D
has been a travesty even before its inception,” Hines says. “It was
born in a climate of deceit and paybacks to Congressional pawns of
large pharmaceutical companies.
“Since that time,
Part D has established a legacy of broken promises, deceit and
profiteering for pharmaceutical companies, all at the expense of
America’s elderly.
The timing of
recent a recent survey claiming that seniors are ‘happy’ with Part
D is suspect at best, devious at worst, because is intended to draw
attention away from the millions of seniors who face an even
greater burden with the Doughnut Hole.
“That is why it is
important to determine to what extent other, little-reported aspects
of Part D—such as formulary changes—are documented.”
Hines and his site
have worked for many years to allow Americans access to safe,
affordable prescription drugs from licensed, registered pharmacies
in other countries.
“It is now up to
the political leadership of both parties to face up to the
continuing unraveling of what was supposed to be a benefit to
America’s seniors,” Hines said. “Delays in committing to some sort
of inquiries and additional oversight can only be construed to
believe that there are Congressmen and Senators who are more
interested in America’s elderly as photo-opportunities or someone to
be pandered to with statements and press releases, rather than
action.”