CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE APPLAUDS CONTINUED SAVINGS FOR MEDICARE RECIPIENTS SINCE ENACTMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS TO SEE NO INCREASE FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Warrensville Heights, OH – Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) is pleased to share with constituents the announcement today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that there will be no increase in the Medicare Part B premium in 2015. 

“This is great news for seniors in Ohio and throughout the nation.  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,” Congresswoman Fudge said. “ In addition, HHS announced 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.”

“Instead of seniors seeing their Medicare Part B premiums skyrocket year after year, we have seen a significant savings since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, including almost no growth in the Part B premium.”   

The Medicare Part B premium (the benefit that covers doctor visits, certain outpatient services and lab tests) soared by 112 percent between 2000 and 2008 (jumping from $45.50 to $96.40).  By comparison, the Medicare Trustees project that the premium will grow by only 10 percent from 2008 to 2016 (rising from $96.40 to $106.50) – or less than 10 percent of the 2008 rate.  Since the enactment of the ACA, Medicare spending per capita has averaged only 0.8 percent a year – compared to an average growth rate of 6.3 percent a year from 2000 to 2008.

Today’s announcement adds to the growing list of health care savings, better Medicare benefits, and a more solvent program since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act:

• Since the ACA was enacted, more than 8.3 million seniors in Medicare have saved more than $12 billion on their prescription drugs, an average savings of $1,443 per senior.
• Due to the ACA, seniors now have free Medicare coverage of key preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.  37 million seniors received free preventive services under Medicare in 2013 alone.
• Since the enactment of the ACA, the life of the Medicare Trust Fund has been extended by 13 years.
  
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