U.S. Rep Gabrielle Giffords' Senior Advisory Committee Receives Congressional Update
Press Release
Members of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' Senior and Aging Issues Advisory Committee met today with the congresswoman's staff to discuss health insurance reform and other legislative topics.
About 18 members of the committee heard a legislative update on Social Security, Medicare and other matters of interest to older Americans.
A major subject of discussion was the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act, commonly known as health insurance reform, which was signed into law last year. Several provisions of the law already are in effect, with full implementation to come in stages over the next three years.
"Congresswoman Giffords is committed to make sure that seniors and all Southern Arizonans understand how to take full advantage of the opportunities for increased access to affordable and quality health care provided by this law," Lauren Alfred, legislative assistant for the congresswoman, told committee members.
Under a provision of the law that went into effect Jan. 1, the more than 40 million seniors enrolled in Medicare receive free preventive care, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, as well as an annual wellness visit without copayments, coinsurance or deductibles.
Also beginning Jan. 1, seniors who fall into the Medicare prescription "donut hole" began receiving a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs. There are growing discounts in future years until the donut hole is completely eliminated in 2020.
And health insurance companies now are required to spend at least 80 percent to 85 percent of consumers' premium dollars on medical care and quality improvement, instead of on profits and overhead.
Committee members also discussed several of Giffords' legislative priorities. Last year, she introduced the Back to School Act, which created a tax credit for seniors who enroll in certain classes, and the Older Americans' Job Opportunities Blueprint, which would help seniors who want to work find a job. Giffords plans to reintroduce the bills in the future.
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