The Medicare Drug Program Center is designed to help advocates, legislators, and consumers navigate the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

On January 1, 2006, Medicare's prescription drug benefit took effect. Medicare consumers now have many decisions to make about the new drug benefit and much to learn - whether to sign up, which plan to pick, how to evaluate plans, and how to apply for low-income assistance.

But decisions aren't limited to people in Medicare. States also have made decisions about whether and how to provide added assistance for drug costs Medicare won't cover, how to make sure that alleligible people are enrolled in Medicare's low-income benefit, and how to help those in Medicare understand their options.

Advocates also have much work to do: Encouraging states to do the most they can to help people afford the drugs they need; making sure that people in Medicare understand their options; monitoring what drug plans are available, the services they provide, and how the drug benefit is working for those in Medicare.

Links to information on the Drug Program:

 Families USA: Information for Advocates
Families USA: For Legislators
Families USA: Information for Consumers