Misleading Ads on Prescription Drugs
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-05-05 15:16:29
Misleading Ads on Prescription Drugs
United Seniors Association is running paid television commercials in at least twenty congressional districts in support of United Seniors' position on a prescription drug benefit.
About the Ads
The advertisements were timed when many members of Congress were home in their states for the spring Easter and Passover Recess. The advertisements ask viewers to call their member of Congress and "Thank [him] for fighting to add prescription drugs to Medicare. And tell him you'll appreciate his vote again."
Why the Ads are Misleading
The legislation mentioned in the ads passed the House of Representatives in 2002, but a version did not pass in the Senate. The advertisements are misleading, and falsely give the impression that the member of Congress supports legislation that would make prescription drugs affordable.
United Seniors fails to tell viewers that the plan they support does not pay enough to supply a comprehensive prescription benefit to current Medicare recipients. In addition, a key part of the United Seniors plan was to pass Medicare recipients to private insurance companies, without an incentive and guarantee that those insurance companies would come forward with affordable plans.
About United Seniors Association
While United Seniors looks to privatize your prescription drug benefit, the organization gets a sizable amount of its funding from pharmaceutical companies: more than a third of its funds in 2001 came from drug-industry sources. The big donors include:
- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the industry's trade association;
- Citizens for Better Medicare, a PhRMA-funded nonprofit group; and
- Pfizer Inc.
Total pharmaceutical industry contributions: at least $3.1 million.
AARP's Position
AARP has been the leading advocate for prescription drug benefits, and will continue to push for a Medicare prescription package that achieves a meaningful Rx benefit. Any benefit should meet these criteria:
- All Medicare beneficiaries will have access to a stable prescription drug benefit on a voluntary basis;
- Affordable prices will be the rule, not the exception;
- Reasonable premiums, deductibles and co-payments will apply to everyone;
- Prescription coverage will leave no individual with extraordinary out-of-pocket costs;
- Reductions in soaring drug costs will keep the program affordable; and
- Extra help for low-income individuals will guarantee benefits for all who need them.
Older Americans face a serious problem in sharply escalating drug costs. Congress needs to commit to serious and meaningful reform.
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