Part D, that is.
Last time the prescription drug plan for senior citizens was in the news it was being vilified by many members of the majority party. Some even saw it as an election wedge issue. And then there was the whole Non-Interference Clause thing.
And then the politios and pundits saw that Part D was a huge success with America's seniors and coming in well under budget projections. And that was the last we heard of it.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday's announcement of the $80 million deal not only put Part D back on Page One -- but also introduced a new fan -- President Barack Obama. Now, it seems, we have a President who embraces the program designed to maximize free-market public/private partnerships and provide maximum healthcare choices for program participants.
Who'd a thunk it?
This plan will also do away with the silly Catch 22 of not being able to include medicines provided via patient assistance programs (PAPs) towards spanning the infamous donut hole -- something that the Bush Administration was not able to do. It's kind of a Nixion-going-to-China thing, although I'm sure the President would wince at such a comparison.
Maybe it would be more palatable to say that, when it comes to healthcare reform ... it takes a village.
Last time the prescription drug plan for senior citizens was in the news it was being vilified by many members of the majority party. Some even saw it as an election wedge issue. And then there was the whole Non-Interference Clause thing.
And then the politios and pundits saw that Part D was a huge success with America's seniors and coming in well under budget projections. And that was the last we heard of it.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday's announcement of the $80 million deal not only put Part D back on Page One -- but also introduced a new fan -- President Barack Obama. Now, it seems, we have a President who embraces the program designed to maximize free-market public/private partnerships and provide maximum healthcare choices for program participants.
Who'd a thunk it?
This plan will also do away with the silly Catch 22 of not being able to include medicines provided via patient assistance programs (PAPs) towards spanning the infamous donut hole -- something that the Bush Administration was not able to do. It's kind of a Nixion-going-to-China thing, although I'm sure the President would wince at such a comparison.
Maybe it would be more palatable to say that, when it comes to healthcare reform ... it takes a village.
