Editorial: Remove roadblock over a drug benefit

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002 | 8:58 a.m.

In 2002 workers paid, on average, more than they did last year for their medical insurance coverage. This was due, in large part, to employers shifting more of their burden for covering health care costs to their employees. And medical insurance costs will rise again next year. While that is a discouraging sign for workers, especially when the economy is sluggish, at least they're employed and can use their salaries to defray the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.

What is even more worrisome is what is happening to retirees. Those who are retired often don't have health insurance and that number has been growing, according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research Educational Trust. In 2001 and 2002, only 34 percent of businesses with 200-plus employees offered health benefits to their retirees. According to the survey, that is the lowest percentage after 14 years of a steady decline since 1988, when 66 percent of retirees were covered.

Once again we see why it is so important for Congress to pass a prescription drug benefit for seniors. The simplest way is to make it part of Medicare coverage, which most Democrats want. Most Republicans want private insurers to offer the plan, but to do so would create an unnecessary middleman. The GOP should set aside its stubborn opposition that has lasted several years over this issue. Seniors no longer should be forced to choose between paying for food or buying expensive drugs to keep them healthy.