The Medicare prescription drug benefit will cost $30 billion in 2006, a 30% decrease from a previous estimate of $43 billion, according to CMS, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports (Freking, AP/Houston Chronicle, 11/29). CMS said that the decrease resulted from:$7.5 billion in savings from lower-than-expected enrollment;$6.9 billion in savings from competition; and$3. [click link for full article]
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