Preserve Medicare Part D

What federal program has been saving taxpayers money since 2006? It may sound like the start to a bad joke, but no punch line. Such a government program exists. It’s called Part D, the Medicare prescription drug coverage program that is uniquely based on market-driven, competition principles that more Medicare programs could stand to emulate.

Nearly 38 million seniors and disabled Americans are enrolled in Part D. More than 1,000 Part D plans are offered nationally, and Washington and Oregon enrollees have a choice of 30 stand-alone prescription drug plans, which equals the national average.

Part D is proven to save taxpayers money. Part D spending was projected at $99 billion for fiscal year 2013. Actual spending came in at $50 billion, nearly 50 percent under budget.

It’s no laughing matter that Washington, D.C., regulators and Beltway bureaucrats want to monkey with Part D and move toward a price-fixing scheme. I urge the Washington congressional delegation to vehemently oppose any maneuvers that undermine Part D. Let’s preserve Part D and point to it as a cost-saving and successful model for other Medicare programs that lack underpinnings of innovation, competition and consumer choice.

Kelly Lotze

Spokane