Most seniors confused by new benefit

A Harris/Wall Street Journal poll found that the majority of seniors who have enrolled in Medicare Part D so far, found choosing a plan 'difficult' and interpreting the benefits equally hard. The majority of respondents (60 percent) said choosing a plan was difficult for them. About the same number (63 percent) said interpreting the plan benefits offered to them was an issue. Overall, once enrolled in a plan, most said they were happy with the service they've received during the benefit's first month. Only 28 percent said they were unhappy. About 22 percent said they haven't yet decided.

- see this article from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)

PLUS: About 30 Republican senators met in Washington with HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and CMS head Dr. Mark McClellan in a strategy session designed to respond to problems with the new drug benefit. Democrats are expected to use the bumpy rollout as political ammunition in coming months. Article

ALSO: A new analysis by MIT economist Jonathon Gruber concludes that the administration's HSA plans will raise uninsurance levels, as employers elect to drop coverage. Release

AND: President Bush is scheduled to visit Wendy's national headquarters today to give a talk about his HSA plans. Article

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