July 30, 2001

AMERICANS WANT UPDATED MEDICARE PROGRAM

(Washington, D.C.) - A majority of Americans of all ages favor a Medicare program which offers beneficiaries a selection of health coverage options at varying cost levels. 

The survey showed that, although a majority of respondents had a favorable opinion of the Medicare program, a vast majority of Americans under age 75 believe the program needs to be changed to provide additional health care coverage choices and prescription drug benefits. 

Commenting on the survey results, Alliance to Improve Medicare Director Tracey Moorhead said, "Younger Medicare beneficiaries and those Americans nearing age 65 do not believe Medicare has kept pace with advances in health care delivery.  These Americans typically have experienced private sector, employer-provided health care benefits which are more likely to include prescription drug benefits and preventive health services not currently covered by Medicare."

The survey, commissioned by AIM and conducted by American Viewpoint, polled 1000 adults aged 18 and over nationwide and presented factual information about the history of the Medicare program, the projected increase in the number of enrollees, and the decline in the number of workers per retiree. An identical survey was conducted of over 800 senior citizens nationwide.

The Alliance to Improve Medicare is a coalition of over 35 organizations representing seniors, doctors, hospitals, insurance plans and providers, small and large businesses, medical researchers and innovators, and others dedicated to achieving comprehensive modernization of the traditional Medicare system. AIM seeks to offer seniors more health care coverage choices, better benefits (including prescription drugs), and access to the latest in innovative medical practices and treatments through comprehensive modernization.