Health reform changes start to take root

The BP oil spill has been getting most of our attention lately, but that hasn't stopped the Obama administration from moving ahead with some of the health reform elements that kick in this year. As we approach the November midterm elections, it's not surprising that much of Obama's attention is focused on touting the Medicare drug rebate program. That's a key savings plan for seniors who, incidentally, are a very reliable voting block. Obama's key staffers are also sending out blog updates announcing grants, and the president himself has been conducting tele-town hall meetings aimed, once again, at seniors to tout health reform.

First, a look at the Medicare drug rebate. The $250 rebate is the first phase of the plan to fix the so-called Medicare drug "doughnut hole," in which seniors receive a drug benefit until they reach a certain level of drug costs. Then the benefit dries up, only to return once the seniors reach other, higher level of drug cost. Health reform seeks to fill the hole, and this $250 check is the first step. Medicare will automatically send the check to seniors receiving the drug benefit. The administration is also warning seniors to be aware of possible scams: Seniors don't need to fill out forms or provide personal or financial information to get the check. Anyone who asks for this information and claims to be from Medicare offices is likely trying to defraud seniors and should be reported to 1-800-MEDICARE.

Wednesday, senior Obama staffers announced the release of $51 million in grants to states to begin beefing up their own health care insurance regulatory powers. There's an interesting political note here: despite accusations that health reform is part of a left-leaning, "socialist" agenda, the grants announced Wednesday actually represent the conservative ideal of states' rights. The $51 million is the first wave of a $250 million grant program intended to help states put laws, rules and agencies in place to review health care insurance rates before the health care insurance companies put them in place. The announcement of the grants comes a month after senior Obama officials sent a letter to governors and state insurance commissioners urging them to review the authority they have under their state laws to determine whether they have the tools they need to approve health insurance rates before they take effect. Insurance rates can vary widely by state - some Californians earlier this year were threatened with a 39-percent premium hike - and Obama wants states to have more power to regulate rates.

Also Wednesday, Obama held tele-hall meetings for seniors intended, in his words, to counters the rumors, half-truths and outright lies that he said tainted the health reform debate. The "misinformation" that bothered him the most was a concerted effort to convince seniors their Medicare benefits would dry up or change drastically under health reform: "First and foremost, what you need to know is that the guaranteed Medicare benefits that you've earned will not change, regardless of whether you receive them through Medicare or Medicare Advantage.  Your guaranteed benefits will not change.  Eligibility won't change.  Medicare will continue to cover your costs the way it always has.  If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor," Obama told seniors Wednesday. He went on to detail the protections of Medicare under the health reform plan.

This week's orchestrated communications no doubt are being planned with an eye towards November, where the Obama administration fears midterm Democratic losses at the polls. By focusing on seniors, Obama is sticking to tried and true political strategy, But it will be interesting to see how his message and intended audience changes over the next few months as the results of different polls - opinion polls - begin gaining numbers and strength.

Photo Credit: Salim Virji