Testifying before the D.C. Council Committee on Health, District officials outlined a plan to pay for prescription drugs that were supposed to be covered by Medicare Part D, the federal program that stumbled out of the starting gate on January 1, 2006.

Health Committee Chairman David Catania feared problems would arise and scheduled today's hearing weeks before trouble was first reported.

"It has become frighteningly obvious that the federal government cannot be counted on to follow through on its promises," Catania said. "Whether it's disaster relief or the rollout of a flawed drug benefit, states and the District must step in despite budget cuts that compromise our ability to do so."

The District will set aside as much as $3 million from its contingency cash reserve to assist Medicare recipients. These individuals will only be responsible for their usual co-payment amount. Rather than promising reimbursement, the federal government has directed states to the 15 private insurers responsible for covering these costs.

For more information, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202-724-7772.