Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) released the following statement after the House Republican Majority continued with their intent to repeal the landmark Affordable Care Act and risk the health coverage for millions of Americans. 

 

“Since June, 2010, seniors have been receiving checks covering the gaps in prescription drug coverage as provided by the Medicare Part D.  Now in 2011, seniors who fall into the donut hole will get a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs.  These were necessary measures to correct this flawed Medicare Part D policy that I voted against when the last Republican Majority controlled Congress and forced the Bush Administration plan upon the American people.  I knew it was a bad idea to leave this gap in coverage, and too many seniors have paid the price since.  Now Republicans want to cancel the discount program, and go back to leaving seniors without adequate coverage or having to spend too much to get their medication.

 

“In my district, which covered parts of the Bronx, Rockland and Westchester Counties, thousands of seniors have benefitted from the Affordable Care Act’s provisions which are helping to close this gap in coverage.  Slightly more than 8,000 seniors from all across the 17^th District, and just over its borders, have received checks in the mail.  Unless the Republicans relent, many more seniors will receive the benefit.

 

“In 2011, the Affordable Care Act calls for Medicare beneficiaries in the donut hole to receive a 50 percent discount on their brand name medications.  Every year from 2012-2020, the Affordable Care Act will take another step toward closing the “donut hole.”

 

“I call on my Republican colleagues to stop their ill-advised plan, to halt the political theater, and to prevent their own ‘Do Not Care Act’ to replace the ‘Affordable Care Act.’  Should they go through with this outrageous vote this week, I urge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to never let this bill see the light of day on the Senate floor.”

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