Bob's Blog
47 years of Medicare
This week marks 47 years since the Medicare program was created. This vital program has helped millions of older citizens and people with disabilities across Pennsylvania meet their health care needs. While some in Congress have proposed ending Medicare as we know it, I believe we need to strengthen and improve the program.
To that end, we have made some recent improvements including closing the so-called “donut hole.” When Medicare was created in 1965, prescription medication did not play the role it does today in keeping older citizens healthy. In 2003 initial steps were taken to give beneficiaries greater access to prescription drugs, but left a large gap where beneficiaries would be responsible for all the costs of their drugs, the “donut hole.” More recently Congress made improvements to that benefit to ensure the gap will be fully closed by 2020. In the meantime beneficiaries will get help. In 2011, beneficiaries who fell into the donut hole received a $250 rebate check. In 2012, beneficiaries who fall in the gap will get significant discounts on both brand name and generic drugs. Over 240,000 Pennsylvanians have benefitted from these changes and more people will continue to do so in the months and years ahead.
It is imperative that we continue to improve, strengthen and protect this important program. As we celebrate this anniversary, I commit to continuing the fight to keep Medicare strong and ensure that beneficiaries have access to the services they need.
Closing the Medicare 'donut hole'
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that, as of December 2011, almost 236,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania saw their prescription drug costs reduced by discounts in the Medicare Part D or ‘donut hole’ coverage gap. In total, Pennsylvanians with Medicare saved over $156 million, at an average of about $660 per person. Nationally, almost 4 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drug costs as of December 2011. Older Pennsylvanians will continue to see these benefits until the ‘donut hole’ is completely closed in 2020.
As this was a measure I supported I was very pleased to hear this news. I have seen how challenging and frustrating the costs of health care and prescription drugs can be for older Pennsylvanians and this is a great step forward to fix this problem. In 2011, older Americans and people with disabilities saved $300.3 million on blood sugar lowering drugs, $263.2 million on cholesterol lowering drugs, and $120.2 million on blood pressure medications. I look forward to continuing to fight hard for all Pennsylvanians.
Observing World AIDS Day
Today we observe World AIDS Day and honor family members and friends lost to AIDS. We also renew our commitment to support the more than one million Americans and 33 million people globally living with HIV and AIDS. In Pennsylvania alone, over 37,000 people have been diagnosed with AIDS since 1980, and 615,000 Americans have passed away. We remember and pay tribute as well to the doctors, nurses, counselors and loved ones who have studied HIV/AIDS and committed to improving the lives of those infected or at risk.
Although we have made great strides in prevention and treatment, new challenges have emerged and we must continue efforts to reduce infection and ease the burden on HIV/AIDS patients. More than 17,000 Americans with AIDS die every year and one in five people living with HIV are unaware of their infection. As Pennsylvania’s United States Senator, I have advocated for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to provide life-extending healthcare, drug treatment, and support services to over half a million low-income individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. As a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, I supported the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a global campaign to reduce incidents of HIV/AIDS. I have also fought to increase support for both domestic and global HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research programs in the annual appropriations process. In the 111th Congress, I was a proud cosponsor of the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which would give states the option of providing Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals who are HIV-positive.
In accordance with this year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Leading with Science, Uniting for Action”, I encourage Pennsylvanians to learn more about the necessary steps to prevent and treat infection. More information can be found at www.aids.gov or your local HIV/AIDS prevention and service provider.
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