AARP poll shows support for Part D changes

In a survey conducted by AARP, 86% of Americans over the age of 18 support giving the secretary of Health & Human Services the authority to negotiate prescription drug prices for the Medicare Part D program. The survey had similar results to one conducted in November by the Kaiser Family Foundation, which found that 81% of seniors favored repealing the current ban on direct negotiations with drug companies. The Senate is currently considering a bill to repeal the provision. The House passed a similar bill in January, but it is less clear whether the bill will even come to a vote in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to close off debate on the bill. President Bush has vowed to veto the legislation if it does pass. AARP contacted 1,007 adults at least 18 years old for the survey, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

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