Background

• When Medicare was first enacted in 1965, it did not provide prescription drug coverage. In 2002, a Congressional conference committee noted that 25 percent of seniors had no insurance to cover drugs. Congress narrowly approved the bill authorizing Part D and President George W. Bush signed it into law in 2003.
  
  

Aftermath

• News reports indicated that many seniors were confused by how the Part D benefits were designed, while others were apprehensive about losing their employee-sponsored insurance. There were also reports of computer glitches and pharmacies overcharging.
  
  

Consumer Satisfaction

• A 2007 study of Part D recipients by the American Association of Retired Persons found 80 percent were satisfied with their choice, and more than half saved on their prescriptions after enrolling.
  
  

Criticisms

• Consumer advocates such as Families USA criticized the law because it did not allow the federal government to negotiate the prices of drugs.
  
  

Participation

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 28.8 million people were enrolled in Medicare Part D as of October 1, 2009.