Seniors in Washington state saved hundreds of dollars in prescription drug costs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said today. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report today highlighting the savings seniors realized in 2011 because of the health reform law.
“The Affordable Care Act is saving seniors in Washington hundreds of dollars a year,” Larsen said. “Seniors in Washington state who hit the donut hole saved an average of $598 each last year because of the health reform law. By 2020 the donut hole will be closed completely and over the next 10 years, typical seniors on Medicare will save an average of nearly $4,200.
“Those who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act have to explain why they are willing to increase seniors’ health care costs, especially when so many of those seniors live on fixed incomes.”
The Department of Health and Human Services also reports:
Across the United States 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs because of the Affordable Care Act.
Seniors with high prescription drug costs will save as much as $16,000 by 2021 because of the Affordable Care Act.
The average premiums for Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2012 are 7 percent lower than in 2011. Since the Affordable Care Act became law, the premiums have decreased by 16 percent.
