surprising success

A new WP-ABC News poll indicates that seniors who have enrolled in the new Medicare drug benefit (Part D) are generally happier with the drug benefit than they were without it.

I'm ashamed to say, I had to remind myself that This Is A Good Thing. Despite all the talk about benefiting drug companies, older people are saving money and getting the medications they need. This is going on the "further research needed" list.


One strange thing I noticed in the WP article:

Still, opinions about the program, which passed Congress in 2003 by narrow margins and over substantial Democratic opposition, remain heavily influenced by partisanship. According to the Post-ABC News poll, a majority of Republicans (56 percent) said they approve of the new benefit, while a similar majority of Democrats disapprove. [emphasis added]

Since when is 56% of anything a majority overwhelming enough to indicate heavy partisanship influence?