House GOP Considers "Means Testing" For Medicare Drug Benefits

The GOP is stuck between the political reality of needing a drug benefit and their desire not to pay for it. Knowing the House GOP they will probably figure out a way for the lower incomes to pay more. Or perhaps they figure the high monthly fees and high deductable will simply keep the lowest class out. People will not like the plan and it is hard to see the GOP claiming it isn't their plan.

Under the means-tested part of the plan, which has not previously been adopted by the House, the amount a patient paid before qualifying for the catastrophic benefit would depend on a patient's income.

Most patients would have to pay $3,700 out of their pockets. But the amount would be higher for people with incomes starting at perhaps $50,000 or $60,000 a year.