Further Evidence that Part D is Working

New data shows that seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D will pay about $30 in monthly premiums in 2012, 76 cents less than they do now and about 44 percent lower than originally projected in 2003. Indeed, since 2007, premium costs in Medicare’s Part D program have increased by about $8, according to CMS.

The program continues to be a shining example of how the Federal government can create a new market for insurance from a green field, imbue it with fierce competition among private companies, and regulate the hell out of it to achieve a major public good.  Part D has come in well over $100 billion cheaper than anyone thought it would on the Hill in 2003, and the vast majority of beneficiaries are happy with their choice of plan.  The program has also been shown to reduce the incidence of unnecessary hospitalizations among those enrolled.

Sounds like a blueprint for health reform.  Our government hasn’t exactly demonstrated lately that it can learn from its mistakes; maybe we’ll have more luck learning from our successes.