GAO Report Examines Effects of Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy on Access to Prescription Drugs

"Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy: Assets and Income Are Both Important in Subsidy Denials, and Access to State and Manufacturer Drug Programs Is Uneven," Government Accountability Office: The report examines the importance of assets and income in low-income subsidy denials in 2006 and 2007 and state and manufacturer programs providing access to prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. The study finds that in 2006 and 2007, while assets and income were both factors in denials of low-income subsidies, income was "of greater importance." It also finds that programs from states and drug manufacturers to assist low-income beneficiaries "are uneven." For the study, GAO analyzed Social Security Administration data, information on state and pharmaceutical companies' drug programs, and interviewed officials from CMS, SSA, advocacy groups, states and pharmaceutical company programs ("Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy: Assets and Income Are Both Important in Subsidy Denials, and Access to State and Manufacturer Drug Programs Is Uneven," GAO, 9/5).