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I agree as far as ordinary meds are concerned, but if you take specialty drugs, you reach that donuts hole quickly. And the cost of those drugs can be enormous.

Last year, my kidney doctor put me on Procrit, a specialty drug. I reached the coverage gap in July. The drug subsequently cost me $300 a month till the end of the year. There is no generic equivalent, and Canadian pharmacies don't sell it. So I had to pay the full price. $1500 is a lot of money when you're on a fixed income. And I've heard of even worse scenarios for life saving drugs such as those for cancer.

Fortunately, I no longer take Procrit. Turned out it wasn't helping at all. I told the doctor I'm not taking a costly drug if it isn't working. But I'm lucky to have the option of discontinuing the med. For some patients that is not an option.

First? Prior to 2006 there was no Rx drug coverage at all, under Medicare.
George Bush came up with a program that made some degree of fiscal sense, as drugs, no matter the expense, are often cheaper than a hospital or nursing home stay.

Next? You have proven my point!
If the drug involved had cost you NOTHING? You would probably still be taking that drug!