U.S. SPENDS MORE PER CAPITA ON HEALTHCARE THAN OTHER NATIONS
The United States spends more on healthcare per capita than other industrialized nations but does not receive more services,
according to a study published on July 12 in the July/August issue of Health Affairs. Led by Gerard Anderson, a health policy
professor at Johns Hopkins, researchers analyzed the healthcare costs of 30 industrialized nations. The study found that the
U.S. spent $5,267 per capita for prescription drugs, hospital stays and doctors visits in 2002, the latest year for which complete
data was available, a median of $2,193 per capita on healthcare. Healthcare spending accounted for 14.6 percent of the U.S.
Gross Domestic Product in 2002, a time when only two other nations -- Switzerland and Germany -- spent more than 10 percent
of their GDP on healthcare. The United States has 2.9 hospital beds per 1,000 residents, compared with a median of 3.7 beds
per 1,000 residents among the other nations examined. Our nation had 2.4 doctors and 7.9 nurses per 1,000 residents in 2001,
compared with a median of 3.1 doctors and 8.9 nurses per 1,000 residents among the other nations. The average medical
malpractice payment, which included both settlements and judgments, was $265,103 in the United States in 2001, compared
with $309,417 in Canada and $411,171 in Britain.
Want to learn more about the side effects of cholesterol drugs? You find unbiased research on drug safety, effectiveness and
cost on AARP's web site.
for this year are: Richard Burkett, William Feeny, Joann George, Kathryn Olesak, Carol Sperandeo, Tom Teslovich, Connie Weiss, Sheryl Wolf, Jeffrey Zablow, Haia Zipris. Among the former retirees in attendance were: Arlene Sokolow, June Lloyd, Norma Szymanski, Dr. Regine Fougeres, Marilyn Caldwell, Ann Haley.We all wish them well and hope to be in touch with them as they begin a new stage in their lives.
It's not so long until Jan. 1, 2006�the date when Medicare prescription drug coverage becomes available to all beneficiaries who
want it. Nearly everyone on Medicare will need to make decisions about the new benefit in the coming months. We explain the key dates in the rollout of the benefit.
June 2005/AFT
PRESIDENT NOW TOUTING MEDICARE Rx BENEFIT
With sinking approval ratings among seniors thanks to President Bush's unpopular Social Security proposals, the White House
turned its spotlight to Medicare's drug benefit, scheduled to begin in January 2006. Centerpiece of the controversial 2003 Medicare law, the benefit will be delivered by an intricate web of private insurance companies offering coverage to Medicare's 40 million beneficiaries. Hundreds of insurers, anxious to tap into Medicare's lucrative drug market, have applied to provide drug coverage. President Bush praised the �modernization� and vowed to lead the campaign for participation, but advocates warned that seniors would be disappointed with the complexity and limited coverage of the benefit. Critics of the Medicare law, including the AFT and
the Alliance for Retired Americans, argued it is a billion-dollar giveaway to corporate interests. Wary of criticism, Medicare officials are insisting insurers include a generous variety of drugs although health plans warn it will drive up costs for premiums. Insurance companies will begin marketing their drug plans to Medicare recipients in the fall. Download an at-a-glance overview of Medicare's drug benefit by visiting the Alliance's website at www.retiredamericans.org/medicare.
Medicare, in its current form, does not cover prescription drugs for seniors. The new program changes that. Medicare beneficiaries will be offered a range of prescription-drug plans to choose from. Costs will vary depending on the type of plan and the income of the recipient. Most beneficiaries will have 95% of the drug costs covered once they spend $3,600 of their own money in a year. Most will pay a monthly premium of about $37, a $250 deductible and a share of their drug costs. Seniors who have other prescription-drug coverage can keep it and not participate in the program.
Low-income seniors, about one-third of the total, will be eligible for a drug benefit without premiums or deductibles, and more than 95% of their drug bills will be covered.
As you prepare for your spring and summer travel, AFT PLUS has a great offer for you. AFT members receive discounts up to 20 percent and more off the regular rate at thousands of hotels around the country. The discounts are available at Ameri Host Inn,
Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge and Wingate Inn chains. To check rates and make reservations, call the hotels directly and make sure that you mention the AFT PLUS discount code 20952. For more information,
call 800/238-1133, ext. 8643, or visit http://www.aft.org/aftplus/travel/hotel.htm.
DISCOUNT DRUG OFFER FROM THE ALLIANCE
Canada Discount Rx, in cooperation with the Alliance for Retired Americans, is offering great savings on hundreds of brand-name medications. Shop and compare at one of Canada's most respected and trusted pharmacies. A complete �how to� guide including prices and order forms is available for Alliance members, including all AFT retirees. Learn more about ordering your prescription medication from Canada and stop paying inflated prices for your good health. Visit www.canadadiscountrx.com/alliance or call toll free at 866/680-6337.