In Iowa's Interest: New Data Proves Affordable Care Act is Saving Iowans on Prescription Drug Costs

Statement

By Senator Tom Harkin

The Affordable Care Act set a goal for our nation: give all Americans access to quality, affordable health care. According to new data, that goal is becoming a reality.n Iowa's Interest: New Data Proves Affordable Care Act is Saving Iowans on Prescription Drug Costs
by Senator Tom Harkin

The Affordable Care Act set a goal for our nation: give all Americans access to quality, affordable health care. According to new data, that goal is becoming a reality.

In addition to new access to health services, over the past year, millions of Americans, including thousands of Iowans, saved money because of how the Act begins to close the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole." According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, more than 42,000 Iowa residents with Medicare saved some $25 million on their prescription drugs in 2011, an average of $616 per person.

In its first full year, the Affordable Care Act provided a 50 percent discount on brand name prescription drugs purchased in the "doughnut hole" and, this coming year, an additional 14 percent discount will apply for generic drugs. With increasing coverage and discounts, by 2020 the donut hole will be closed completely.

In addition to the Medicare prescription drug savings, the Affordable Care Act also provides for free preventive services like mammograms and immunizations.

In short, the cost savings and the preventive care now available to Iowans on Medicare means better health coverage and a healthier Iowa.

For more information on Medicare's Share the News. Share the Health! Prevention campaign, go to http://www.medicare.gov/share-the-health/ or call 1-800-MEDICARE. For more information about the Affordable Care Act and the cost savings for Iowans, please visit my website at www.harkin.senate.gov or feel free to call any of my offices in Iowa or Washington, D.C.

In addition to new access to health services, over the past year, millions of Americans, including thousands of Iowans, saved money because of how the Act begins to close the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole." According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, more than 42,000 Iowa residents with Medicare saved some $25 million on their prescription drugs in 2011, an average of $616 per person.

In its first full year, the Affordable Care Act provided a 50 percent discount on brand name prescription drugs purchased in the "doughnut hole" and, this coming year, an additional 14 percent discount will apply for generic drugs. With increasing coverage and discounts, by 2020 the donut hole will be closed completely.

In addition to the Medicare prescription drug savings, the Affordable Care Act also provides for free preventive services like mammograms and immunizations.

In short, the cost savings and the preventive care now available to Iowans on Medicare means better health coverage and a healthier Iowa.

For more information on Medicare's Share the News. Share the Health! Prevention campaign, go to http://www.medicare.gov/share-the-health/ or call 1-800-MEDICARE. For more information about the Affordable Care Act and the cost savings for Iowans, please visit my website at www.harkin.senate.gov or feel free to call any of my offices in Iowa or Washington, D.C.

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