One Medigap plan would just cover prescription drugs. Plans would vary regarding the degree of beneficiary coinsurance required. That coverage could be provided through high option plans when the premium support system was implemented. Beneficiaries who do not fall within the 135 percent of poverty threshold would not receive federal monetary support for the coverage of prescription drugs, although the proposal seeks to assist with beneficiary access. Chief among the concerns were that the prescription drug benefit did not go far enough, and that the plan did not do enough to raise the additional revenues necessary to keep the Medicare program solvent as the Baby Boomers retire.
Concerns remain that the supposed savings from the proposal are illusory.
DME funding would continue through either a mandatory entitlement or multi-year discretionary appropriation program separate from Medicare. Although the Commission was unable to report recommendations to Congress, Breaux and Thomas both vowed to introduce their plan as legislation during this session of Congress. Senator Kerrey stated his belief that the Senate Finance Committee, the committee of jurisdiction over Medicare, would hold hearings and successfully pass a version of the Breaux-Thomas plan. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee began consideration of legislation drafted to protect consumers from health plan abuses. Democrats offered several amendments, without success, including an effort to substitute the entire bill with the Democrat's own comprehensive patient protection legislation.