Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) released the following statement on today’s implementation of a key immediate benefit of health insurance reform for America’s seniors.  Starting today, one-time, tax-free checks of $250 will be mailed to tens of thousands of seniors who have fallen into the ‘donut hole’ prescription drug coverage gap.  These checks will continue to be mailed monthly over the next several months as seniors enter the coverage gap, with an estimated four million seniors receiving this help.

“At long last, America’s seniors who have been haunted by the ill-advised gap in prescription drug coverage will soon start to experience the real world benefits of health insurance reform.  And they will get it where it counts – in their bank accounts.  Today’s first wave of checks begins the long-awaited goal of finally closing the ‘donut hole’ and reducing prescription drug costs for seniors.

“I voted against creating Medicare Part D when the Republican-controlled Congress passed President Bush’s initiative, because of the unfair gap in coverage.  I knew it was a bad idea then, and too many seniors have paid the price since.  Now, Republicans are calling for canceling the checks and going back to the system which too often left seniors lacking coverage or having to spend too much to take their medication.  This is a perfect example of election year politics – this time coming at the expense of seniors who have in the past been forced to decide between medication and food.  Seniors can finally start to breathe easy as they cash their first check to help them afford, what in many cases, can be life-saving medicine.

“I think it is shameful to put politics ahead of the health of our seniors and proud to have been a supporter of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will lower health costs for seniors, improve care, strengthen Medicare and provide more direct control for seniors over their own health.”