Medicare Dual Eligible Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 2005

This bill was introduced to delay the transition of prescription drug coverage for "dual eligible" individuals—low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. It proposed that Medicaid continue to pay for these prescriptions for the first six months of 2006, rather than immediately switching coverage to the then-new Medicare Part D program.

The legislation aimed to prevent potential disruptions in access to medication during the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit by keeping the existing state-run coverage in place temporarily. Additionally, it would have suspended the "clawback" payments states were required to pay the federal government during this period and provided funding for outreach to help vulnerable citizens navigate the transition. The bill also required the government to monitor drug usage data to ensure these individuals maintained consistent access to their necessary medications.