Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits: Results of a National Survey
As the U.S. Senate considered expanding Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit, this July 2002 telephone survey explored the opinions of 2,013 American adults age 18 and over about the issue.
Almost eight in ten (79%) of those surveyed say it is very important (52%) or somewhat important (27%) that the Senate enact a permanent Medicare drug benefit that has an affordable premium, has some cost-sharing, has no gap in coverage, is voluntary, and is available to everyone eligible for Medicare. The survey also finds respondents more likely to vote for a candidate who supports this Medicare prescription drug benefit.
The report was prepared by Jeffrey Love, Ph.D., of AARP Knowledge Management who may be contacted for more information at (202) 434-6279. (4 pages)