HHS: Three Milliion Medicare Beneficiaries Have Received Prescription Drug Relief

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that three million Medicare beneficiaries nationwide have received prescription drug cost relief thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The three million beneficiaries received a one-time, $250 rebate to help pay for prescription drugs in the "donut hole" coverage gap in 2010. Under the new law, Medicare beneficiaries who fall into the "donut hole" in 2011 will be eligible for 50 percent discounts on covered brand name prescription drugs.

"This milestone clearly illustrates the positive impact health care reform has already had on seniors and people with disabilities," said Ranking Member Sander M. Levin (D-MI). "It highlights why Republican efforts to repeal the bill will hurt our country's seniors. The donut hole is a financial burden for seniors that will be done away with entirely under the new law."

"The House Republicans' goal of repealing health reform, endangers the health and financial well-being of America's senior citizens and people with disabilities," said Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark (D-CA). "Repeal would re-open the Medicare prescription drug donut hole and might well require these three million seniors to pay back their $250 check. Republicans claim that it's not their "intent" for seniors to have to pay back that money, but neither their repeal bill nor their replace resolution ensure that won't happen."

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