Drug coverage issues, dual eligibles program draw Democrats' interest

According to these stories from Politico and Politico Pro, some House Democrats are calling on the Department Of Health and Human Services to use the Medicare prescription drug program as a model for the health law's essential health benefits drug coverage requirement. Also, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is joining the chorus of voices concerned about a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstration program for dual eligibles -- they say it's a classic example of the right idea but the wrong execution.

Politico Pro: House Members Urge Broader EHB Drug Coverage
More than two dozen House Democrats are urging HHS to abandon its skimpy drug coverage requirement for the essential health benefits package and instead use the popular Medicare prescription drug program as a model. The Obama administration's December essential health benefits bulletin proposed requiring coverage for just one drug per class, which at least one study has shown would be less than what possible EHB benchmark plans actually cover (Millman, 7/16).

Politico: Groups To CMS: Slow Down
Is the push to change how "dual eligibles" get their health care going too far, too fast? That's a question that's beginning to be heard from lots of quarters -- including the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the American Medical Association, some analysts and now at least one key lawmaker (DoBias, 7/16).