Dems: Seniors Hurt by Medicare Bill

Democratic opponents of the Medicare prescription drug bill say many seniors would fare worse under the legislation than they do now. Following is the number of Medicare beneficiaries in each state who could lose their employer-based retiree health benefits under the proposed Medicare plan, according to Senate Democrats opposed to the bill. The second column is the number of beneficiaries who would pay more for prescription drugs, according to the Democrats. The third column is the number of beneficiaries who would pay higher premiums for Medicare Part B coverage based on their income.

State Lose retiree benefits Pay more for drugs Pay more

for Part B

Ala. 45,570 122,700

20,860

Alaska 2,940 8,400

1,260

Ariz. 44,310 59,100

30,280

Ark. 18,060 109,100

11,020

Calif. 244,860 860,700

229,920

Colo. 31,290 60,700

20,420

Conn. 39,270 74,400

31,400

Del. 9,870 11,700

4,140

Fla. 160,440 315,500

162,820

Ga. 51,450 161,300

34,060

Hawaii 17,850 51,900

6,940

Idaho 11,970 10,700

5,300

Ill. 103,950 169,500

62,700

Ind. 57,330 100,300

24,240

Iowa 28,350 57,200

11,680

Kan. 21,000 39,800

14,120

Ky. 43,680 193,500

16,900

La. 35,070 114,900

17,100

Maine 14,700 40,600

6,040

Md. 59,640 75,800

34,840

Mass. 59,850 185,500

34,920

Mich. 138,810 183,200

44,980

Minn. 39,480 89,800

19,380

Miss. 20,790 118,300

10,220

Mo. 59,850 139,300

29,320

Mont. 7,140 14,500

2,860

Neb. 11,550 32,400

8,120

Nev. 14,490 19,700

9,920

N.H. 11,970 18,300

5,560

N.J. 91,140 138,100

51,980

N.M. 14,910 33,200

7,440

N.Y. 207,690 537,700

117,080

N.C. 70,770 222,800

37,920

N.D. 3,990 12,600

2,720

Ohio 154,770 194,900

58,420

Okla. 33,390 76,000

15,520

Ore. 30,450 63,400

17,260

Penn. 133,980 352,200

63,240

R.I. 9,240 28,700

5,760

S.C. 38,220 110,600

18,300

S.D. 4,410 16,900

3,200

Tenn. 52,920 243,500

71,750

Texas 132,300 389,400

97,420

Utah 17,850 17,200

7,020

Vt. 5,040 24,700

2,960

Va. 62,580 116,200

40,280

Wash. 47,250 91,900

33,360

W.Va. 29,610 44,900

7,560

Wis. 58,170 110,200

23,120

Wyo. 3,150 6,700

2,260