CHICAGO, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- An Illinois congressman wants the federal government to reimburse states for helping seniors get needed drugs under the complex new Medicare Part D program.
U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., also suggested Monday that the federal government issue $1,000 debit cards, as it did for Hurricane Katrina victims, for seniors struggling to choose among 350 private plans offered nationwide under the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit many consider confusing.
Emanuel said seniors have flooded his office with complaints.
"A lot of these seniors have been forced into a plan not of their choosing," he told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Then they find out the drugs they have to take aren't covered by the plans they're enrolled in."
Emanuel said he would introduce legislation to require federal reimbursement of state money spent to help low-income and disabled seniors get their needed drugs under the new federal program.
