The Congress should modify the Part D low-income subsidy copayments for Medicare beneficiaries with incomes at or below 135 percent of poverty to encourage the use of generic drugs when available in selected therapeutic classes. The Congress should direct the Secretary to develop a copay structure, giving special consideration to eliminating the cost sharing for generic drugs. The Congress should also direct the Secretary to determine appropriate therapeutic classifications for the purposes of implementing this policy and review the therapeutic classes at least every three years.
Status report on Part D, with focus on beneficiaries with high drug spending
March 15, 2012