AARP: Part D Premium Projections Show Health Care Reform Will Lower Drug Spending
Source: AARP Press Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2009
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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.”
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