AARP: Part D Premium Projections Show Health Care Reform Will Lower Drug Spending Source: AARP Press Center
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2009
Contact AARP Media Relations media@aarp.org
AARP: Part D Premium Projections Show Health Care Reform Will Lower Drug Spending
WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released this statement following today’s Congressional Budget Office announcement of projected Medicare Part D changes under proposed legislation.
“The skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, coupled with a broken health care system, will drive up Part D premiums by more than 80 percent if we do nothing to change the status quo. Perhaps just as frightening, the gap in Medicare drug coverage—known as the doughnut hole—will jump to more than $5,700, which could force millions of older Americans to stop taking their needed medications and lead to more intensive and costly care later in life. While some may seize on today’s projections in an attempt to protect the status quo, the fact is provisions in health care reform would lower drug spending for people in Medicare.
“Health care reform provisions now under consideration would close the doughnut hole over time, reduce costs immediately for those who fall into the gap and lower average total drug spending for people in Medicare. Opponents of reform may use today’s projections to try to stall reform, but we hope they will look at all the facts before jumping to a false conclusion.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. |