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Article published: Aug 5, 2005
Spratt, Clyburn host Medicare meeting

Area congressmen participated in a town hall meeting Wednesday night to discuss a change in Medicare with concerned Sumter residents.

U.S. Reps. John Spratt, D-S.C., and Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., addressed about 60 people scattered throughout Nettles Auditorium at the University of South Carolina Sumter to learn more about a new Medicare prescription benefit. Discussion centered around who qualifies, how to apply and the application process.

After information was presented, a question-and-answer session was held, and it was clear that those in attendance were confused about the new Medicare offering.

"I find it very complicated," said Josephine Mathis, 76, who added that she felt she was being told she'd be getting something for nothing even though she's not sure that's the case.

Alfreda Barrows, 74, was left unclear as well. "I don't understand it," she said. "It's a lot to digest."

Sixty-four-year-old Doris Randolph also agreed. "It's all so confusing," Randolph said.

Applications are being mailed to those who qualify for this low-income allowance. The benefit, which was included in the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement Modernization Act of 2003, will go into effect Jan. 1. The benefit is Part D of the new act.

Those covered by Medicare must make a decision about Part D: They can opt to stay with traditional Medicare or a retiree plan and not sign up for the drug benefit; they can stay with traditional Medicare and get a drug plan elsewhere; or they can enroll in a health plan that offers the Medicare health services and drug plan.

If individuals do not immediately sign up for the drug plan but choose to do so later, they will be charged a 1-percent premium per month they went without it. This leaves those on Medicare with decisions to be made as to what will work best for them.

Spratt said the town hall meeting was a good idea, as it helped make people aware of the change taking place with Medicare. And though people might be confused, he said, they can begin the process of figuring out what choices they need to make.

"The turnout convinced me that this is going to be a complex process," Spratt said. "There are more than 40 million beneficiaries on Medicare, and all of them will have to make a decision as to whether to elect this coverage or not to elect it. In addition to being a complicated financial decision because it's going to cost at least $37 a month for people on moderate incomes, there are other considerations, all of which came to the surface yesterday afternoon."

These other considerations include individuals who are veterans, retired military, school teachers with state supplemental insurance and several others.

Spratt said he hopes to take part in similar town meetings in the future.

"Our purpose was, No. 1, information, and, No. 2, we were trying to find out how much confusion and complexity people are going to have to deal with," he said. There are "lots of questions that still need to be further clarified."

Efforts to contact Clyburn on Thursday were unsuccessful.