Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 | 8:56 a.m.
In his State of the Union remarks, the key question raised by President Bush on Medicare is what price he expects older Americans to pay for their health care. Already 22 percent of seniors' incomes go toward covering health care costs that Medicare does not pay for.
President Bush suggests that in his new plan, people with Medicare will have a choice, they can stay in traditional Medicare -- and continue to see the doctors they know and trust without prescription drug coverage -- or get some prescription drug coverage by joining an HMO at the price of giving up their doctors and direct access to specialty services. This is not a viable choice.
JACKIE RIDLEY
Editor's note: The writer is a member of the Consumer Advisory Board for the Medicare Rights Center, a nonprofit consumer service organization that seeks to ensure affordable prescription drugs are offered to seniors.
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