Congresswoman Johnson Highlights Continued Savings for Seniors in 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DALLAS, TX – (Thursday, October 9, 2014) – Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson highlighted the HHS announcement that there will be no increase in the Medicare Part B premium in 2015. 

“Today, HHS had good news for America’s seniors – announcing that, for the second year in a row, there will be no increase in the Medicare Part B premium in 2015 – with the premium remaining at $104.90 for 2013, 2014, and 2015,” said Congresswoman Johnson.  “Similarly, HHS announced that, for the second year in a row, there will also be no increase in the Medicare Part B deductible in 2015 – with the deductible remaining at $147.”

“Seniors have seen significant savings since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted, including almost no growth in the Part B premium. By contrast, in earlier years, seniors had seen the Medicare Part B premium skyrocket, undermining their financial and health security.”  

Today’s announcement adds to the growing list of ways in which the ACA has resulted in major savings, better benefits, and a more solvent Medicare program. Since the enactment of the ACA:

• More than 8.3 million seniors enrolled in Medicare have saved more than $12 billion on their prescription drugs. That’s an average savings of $1,443 per senior.
• Seniors now have access to key preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.  37 million seniors received free preventive services under Medicare in 2013 alone.
• The life of the Medicare Trust Fund has been extended by 13 years.

“Strengthening and improving Medicare has always been one of my top priorities,” Congresswoman Johnson concluded.  “I am happy to report that the Affordable Care Act has been successful in improving Medicare benefits and resulted in major savings for seniors.  I will remain focused on how we can continue to improve the financial and health security of America’s seniors.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.