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Projections estimated that the Medicare Part D drug program in 2006 would cost the federal government approximately $59 billion dollars.  However, according to a report released just over a week ago by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, actual costs for 2006 came in surprisingly low at $47 billion dollars--that's right--$12 billion dollars less than the estimates.  

So, what accounts for the discrepancy? 

According to the report, generic drug utilization makes up the difference.  Generic drugs cost about 71% less than their brand name equivalents.

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Recently, the House of Representatives passed legislation requiring direct negotiation with pharmaceutical companies for lower-priced prescription drugs covered under the Medicare Part D program.  As reported by FDA News, Senator Chuck Grassley (R. Iowa) is now considering a filibuster to stop the measure because he believes the legislation may have sufficient bi-partisan support for passage.  Apparently, Grassley believes that he has the requisite backing to make such a move.

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The National Medicare Congress has made available speeches of Congressman Pete Stark and former CMS Administrator Tom Scully given at the Third National Medicare Congress on October 15 through 17, 2006, three weeks before the November 2006 elections.  In his speech, Congressman Stark predicted that, given the divide in power between Democrats and Republicans, there will be no major legislation for the next two years.  With respect to his objectives, Congressman Stark stated that he desires to ensure that Medicare and Social Security do not end as an entitlement and desires to prevent the privatization of these programs.  Former CMS Administrator Scully's speech focuses on the "Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of Part D," and he states that he's "amazed about how Medicare Part D has turned out." 

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On Friday, Congressman Dingell, on behalf of himself and 189 co-sponsors, introduced H.R. 4 to amend the Social Security Act to require the negotiation of prices for Medicare Part D covered drugs. 

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