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HR PR - KUCINICH
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Cleveland, Ohio (October 26, 2010) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today announced that almost ten thousand seniors in Ohio’s Tenth District who are in, or soon will be in, the Medicare Part D “Donut Hole” will be helped by $250 payments.
“While there are problems with the Affordable Care Act, it offers relief from rapidly escalating health care costs to constituents in my district. I will work to make sure the people of Northeast Ohio get the most out of the Affordable Care Act
“I am proud to announce that as of October 1, 2010, 3,460 seniors in our district have received $250 rebate checks. An additional 5,740 seniors are expected to enter the Part D donut hole before the end of 2010. Each of these seniors will also receive a $250 rebate,” said Kucinich.
This year, all seniors who have drug expenses of $2,830 or more – and thereby enter the Medicare Part D “donut hole” – will receive a $250 rebate to help with their high drug costs. Beginning in January 2011, all seniors will receive a 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole, saving the average senior entering the donut hole over $500 annually. These discounts will save seniors in the district $4.8 million next year.
The benefits to seniors with high drug costs continue to improve over time under the health reform law. The discount on brand-name drugs increases to 52.5% in 2013 and to 55% in 2015. The savings continue to grow until the donut hole is completely eliminated for both brand-name and generic drugs in 2019.
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