July 17 , 2010

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced that the next round of more than 300,000 eligible seniors who have entered the Medicare Part D “donut hole” this year have been mailed their tax-free, one time rebate check for $250. The $250 checks, authorized by the Affordable Care Act, will continue to be mailed monthly over the next several months as seniors enter the prescription drug coverage gap. “Seniors who find themselves in the Medicare donut hole too often are forced to choose between paying for the medications they need and meeting their basic living expenses,” said Rep. Baca. “Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and Congress, almost 4 million seniors and disabled Americans, including over 382,000 in the state of California, will receive donut hole rebate checks this year. The Affordable Care Act passed into law earlier this year will finally end the prescription drug donut hole, so senior citizens will be able to afford the medications necessary for their care.”

The new health care reform law begins to close the Medicare donut hole once and for all with the distribution of rebate checks this year. Significant savings will continue next year, when the law provides a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs for seniors in the gap, and a smaller discount on generic drugs. Under the new law, the donut hole will be completely closed by 2020. Making prescription drugs more affordable for seniors is only one of the many benefits for seniors included in the recently enacted health reform law. Other benefits include: Free preventive care services for all Medicare recipients beginning in 2011; Extending Medicare solvency by an additional 12 years – to 2029; Improving seniors’ access to doctors; and Lowering Medicare costs by reducing waste, fraud and abuse. “With the implementation of the provisions of health care reform, we are making quality, affordable care a right for every American,” concluded Rep. Baca. “Republicans who continue to call for a repeal of health reform oppose this life-saving assistance and want to return us to a system of higher drug costs, shrinking benefits, and greater insecurity for America’s senior citizens. I will continue to fight in Congress to protect the interests of all Americans, especially our most vulnerable populations, seniors and young people.”

For more information about the “donut hole” rebate checks, contact www.HealthCare.gov or 1- 800-MEDICARE.

-Staff Reports