Standing Up for Seniors, Protecting Medicare
For more than 40 years, Medicare has offered critical health and financial stability for our nation’s seniors. Over 45 million seniors received Medicare coverage in 2009 and the Affordable Health Care for America Act, passed by the House this November, aims to safeguard and improve Medicare. I stand beside your Medicare coverage and I stand-up for your benefits in Washington. The health care reform bill passed by Congress this year is intended to strengthen your health benefits and ensure Medicare’s stability for the future.
Health Insurance Reform at a Glance
Strengthening Medicare
This health reform legislation contains substantial payment and delivery system reforms that reward efficient delivery of quality care and change the incentives in today’s health care system to encourage value instead of simply volume. It makes investments that will enable beneficiaries to continue to access high-quality, affordable care, while encouraging prevention and care coordination for those with chronic conditions. These efforts will help modernize the program and strengthen Medicare’s financial health, protecting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.
More Affordable, Better Quality
Provides a $250 rebate for any Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) enrollee who enters the “donut hole” in 2010
Begins filling the donut hole in Part D in 2011 and closing the donut hole completely by 2020
Drug manufacturers will provide 50 percent discounts on brand-name drugs in the donut hole to reduce costs beginning in 2011
Free Preventative Care by eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for preventive services in Medicare
Requires Medicare Advantage plans to spend at least 85 percent of revenue on medical care
Improving Medicare for Seniors
Making sure low-income individuals have information about their Part D plans
Eliminating cost sharing for certain individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
Reducing “churning” of low-income Part D enrollees between drug plans each year
Enhances nursing home transparency and accountability requirements related to resident protection and quality of care
Begins value-based purchasing for hospitals and starts other providers on the path toward value based purchasing.
Making Medicare Last for the Future
Improves payment accuracy to ensure that Medicare pays the right amount for health services
Expands funding and authority to fight waste, fraud and abuse
Eliminates overpayments to private Medicare plans
Extends the Medicare Trust Fund to 2026
