Two congressmen are pushing to eliminate Medicare Part D
co-payments for dual-eligible residents in home and community-based settings.
Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
recently disclosed plans to introduce legislation to this effect. The
legislation is the House companion bill to a bill (S. 1107) introduced by a
bi-partisan group of senators.
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the
Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) have been urging Congress to waive
co-pays for dual eligibles in assisted living facilities. Dual-eligible residents in nursing
homes currently are exempt form paying co-payments for Medicare Part D drugs.