H.R. 1568  The Medicare RX Now Act of 2003 
Introduced by:  Cal Dooley (D-CA) and cosponsors April 2, 2003
Revised 4/27/2003

H.R. 1568 contains the right type of drug benefit:  a zero-premium catastrophic benefit that does not penalize beneficiaries with employment-based retiree coverage or other supplemental drug benefits.

For several years, Congress has been gridlocked on Medicare reform and benefits modernization, including a prescription drug benefit.  Now, with H.R. 1568, we at least have a bill with a drug benefit that would actually work, is affordable, and would help direct the whole Medicare program toward improved care for seniors with chronic illnesses.

Centrist Policy Recommendation:  The Dooley bill should be merged with the President's Medicare Framework and the original Breaux-Frist I Medicare reform proposal from 1999 to create a premium-support system for seniors patterned after the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  PPI's "Compstat" vision of accountability within the program is another essential part of real Medicare reform.

Resources
H.R. 1568 Summary
H.R. 1568 Bill Text
President Bush's Medicare Framework (March 4, 2003)
Breaux-Frist I Medicare Proposal and Bill

Progressive Policy Institute An "ABC" Proposal to Modernize Medicare by Jeff Lemieux and coauthors (February 14, 2003).

Progressive Policy Institute Healthy Aging v. Chronic Illness:  Preparing Medicare for the New Health Care Challenge by David B. Kendal and coauthors (February 14, 2003).

Jeff Lemieux Making Chronic Care the Focus of Medicare Reform (Testimony || February 25, 2003)