Democrats Should Keep Hands off Medicare Drugs

I think it’s important to ask exactly what problem the Democrat majority believes they’re solving with their proposal on Medicare Part D. The actual costs of the benefit in 2006 are $13 billion lower than projected. The projected costs over ten years are down over 21%. The premiums are 40% less than projected, and over 80% of the beneficiaries are supportive and satisfied with the program. So what problem are they trying to solve?

The larger question is a philosophical question: who should be making personal healthcare decisions for Americans? Should it be Washington government bureaucrats, or should it be doctors and patients? We believe–I believe, as a matter of principle–doctors and patients should be making that decision, including which drugs should be used for the treatment of diseases.