R. Blake Flugence
HCM 620
Professor Michael Schmitt
American Intercontinental University
September 13, 2015

Abstract
President George W. Bush’s 2003 introduction of a new health bill policy was formulated to enforce changes to Medicare. Since its origination in 1965, policies of healthcare have experienced many phases in attempt to provide affordable benefits to patients in need of different services. With similar advancements in consideration, President Bush attempted to enact a significant affordable program for prescription drug coverage. Predictions of this healthcare agenda in partnership with the Medicare Modernization Act supported assistance that would cover a widespread of qualified beneficiaries in the U.S. However, as a result of the legislation, controversies arose affecting the decisions of patients as well as providers. The following document illustrates provisions of the health bill policy and formulated opinions by researchers.

In a 2003 CNN web article, shortly after Congress began proposals for the new Medicare reform, writers introduced stipulations of the form including its successes and failings. Supporters of the policy made predictions claiming that $400 billion provided by the Medicare Modernization Act would accommodate the nation’s 40 million citizens to purchase medication. In this aspect, the policy leaked an advantage for older Americans having capabilities for better coverage options through Medicare and also more control over services provided to them. In detail, 75% of costs would be paid up to $2,250. Recipients of the program would be required to pay $35 monthly with a $250 deductible for prescriptions. Subsidies would be provided to private insurers to compete with traditional Medicare to cut down the costs of prescription drugs. Additionally discovered, the new legislation would allow for the importation of more affordable drugs from Canada only if approved by the FDA. The idea for “modern medical care” is a chance for patients to receive the benefits they deserve. However, opponents of the legislation deemed otherwise to propositions of the reform; those who disagreed identified it as a giveaway to drug makers and insurance companies creating dismantle towards the coverage program (Policy, 2003). President Bush along with involvement of the US Senate developed the structure of the legislation in hopes of encouraging a successful healthcare plan. In favor of the legislation, the Democratic Party led the decision by voting in favor of the policy. The President addressed unique additions to the plan including Medicare payments to rural hospitals, payments to hospitals serving large numbers of low-income patients, hospitals avoiding future cuts, Doctors ability to receive pay increases, Medicare coverage of patient physicals, development of healthcare savings accounts, and Medicare Part B premiums. Based on data and the necessity for healthcare changes, the US government identified that approximately 10 million people did not have such coverage (Policy, 2003). Dr. Eric Henley, author of the public health issues from the University of Illinois College of Medicine discusses changes of the legislation in effect towards Medicare. Individuals involved in setting the policy’s agenda identified that the bill lacked to establish a mechanism to offset the rising costs of prescription drugs. While drugs would continue to increase annually this in turn would affect relative patient and governmental contributions. The administering of the drug benefit created an immediate controversy. A final major controversy of the bill developed from an experiment conducted in six cities beginning in 2010. The experiment included a private insurance plan competing directly with the traditional Medicare program. While Republicans believed the experiment was necessary for measuring the decreasing rates further supporting the program, Democrats were completely against the “private market” concept stating this to be the major cause for issues reflective of quality and cost within healthcare (Henley, 2004). Implementation of the new policy generated concerns by several groups affiliated both directly and indirectly with the agenda. For instance organizations such as the AARP and the Department of Health and Human Services obtained responsibility for presenting policy provisions to the public. This responsibility was looked upon as a preoccupation that would effectively deter Congress and President Bush from addressing other issues concerning the majority of uninsured individuals (Henley 2004). Efforts contributed to the 2003 health policy were necessary to establish methods for effectively addressing the changes towards Medicare. President Bush along with his team of agenda setters accomplished their plans for extensive healthcare services; however, the implementation alone was not successful due to the amount of controversial issues mentioned. I strongly support that having access to electronic patient health records was and will continue to be a beneficial tool for determining citizens who are uninsured and potentially will qualify to receive affordable coverage

References

CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015.

Henley E. What the new Medicare prescription drug bill may mean for providers and patients. Journal Of Family Practice [serial online]. May 2004;53(5):389-392. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 13, 2015

Kaplan, R. L., & Olson, R. W. (2006). Consumer Choice on Drugs: Medicare and Medications. Ageing International, 31(2), 118-137.