Rangel: Medicare Remains Strong Thanks to the Affordable Care Act

Statement

Congressman Charles B. Rangel welcomed the recent announcement made by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is projected to increase by 11 percent in the next year with premiums remaining steady.

"As the original co-sponsor of the Affordable Care Act, it is very encouraging to see that the historic healthcare reform law has strengthened and improved the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug programs," said Rangel. "My Republican Colleagues have claimed that the Affordable Care Act would cause premiums to rise and enrollment in the Medicare Advantage program to decrease. Clearly, the opposite has been proven to be true."

Since 2010, the cost of Medicare Advantage premiums has decreased by 10 percent while the enrollment has increased by 28 percent. The Affordable Care Act authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect beneficiaries from cost increases. Because of this protection, the average Medicare Advantage premium is only projected to increase by $1.47 in 2013; that number could be much lower if beneficiaries choose a plan with lower costs.

Additionally, access to the Medicare Advantage program will remain strong next year in 2013. Moreover 99.6 percent of the program's beneficiaries will continue to have access to a plan and the number of plans will increase by seven percent in 2013.

"Everyday Americans are benefiting from healthcare reform. It continues to improve access to healthcare for the millions," Rangel continued. "People are relying on this law to keep healthcare costs from skyrocketing. The American people simply cannot afford the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and we must continue to work to make sure that it is fully implemented."

Since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, 5.4 million Medicare recipients have saved over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs. In addition, nearly 37 million people with Medicare received a preventive benefit free charge in 2011.

Source