Issue Position: Seniors & Medicare

Issue Position

For more than 40 years, Medicare has offered critical health and financial stability for our nation's seniors. Over 45 million seniors received Medicare coverage in 2009 and the Affordable Health Care for America Act, passed by the House this November, aims to safeguard and improve Medicare. I stand beside your Medicare coverage and I stand-up for your benefits in Washington. The health care reform bill passed by Congress this year is intended to strengthen your health benefits and ensure Medicare's stability for the future.

Health Insurance Reform at a Glance

Strengthening Medicare

This health reform legislation contains substantial payment and delivery system reforms that reward efficient delivery of quality care and change the incentives in today's health care system to encourage value instead of simply volume. It makes investments that will enable beneficiaries to continue to access high-quality, affordable care, while encouraging prevention and care coordination for those with chronic conditions. These efforts will help modernize the program and strengthen Medicare's financial health, protecting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.

More seniors and people with disabilities are seeing lower costs with Medicare - whether through discounts on brand-name drugs or preventative services - because of the health care reforms. Those with Medicare are afforded the opportunity to take charge of their health through the provided benefits, better choices and reduced costs.

More Affordable, Better Quality

Medicare average prescription drug premiums will not increase in 2012. Seniors will have increased access to affordable prescription drugs through Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (also known as Medicare Part D) and access to Medicare Advantage.

Provides a $250 rebate for any Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) enrollee who enters the "donut hole" in 2010

Begins filling the donut hole in Part D in 2011 and closing the donut hole completely by 2020

Drug manufacturers will provide 50 percent discounts on brand-name drugs in the donut hole to reduce costs beginning in 2011. Over 76,000 people in Texas have saved a total of $42 million through July 2011 when they hit the prescription drug donut hole.

Free Preventative Care by eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for preventive services in Medicare. Over 1.3 million people in Texas with Original Medicare have used at least one free preventative service through August 2011.

Requires Medicare Advantage plans to spend at least 85 percent of revenue on medical care

Improving Medicare for Seniors

Making sure low-income individuals have information about their Part D plans

Eliminating cost sharing for certain individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

Reducing "churning" of low-income Part D enrollees between drug plans each year

Enhances nursing home transparency and accountability requirements related to resident protection and quality of care

Begins value-based purchasing for hospitals and starts other providers on the path toward value based purchasing.

Making Medicare Last for the Future

Improves payment accuracy to ensure that Medicare pays the right amount for health services

Expands funding and authority to fight waste, fraud and abuse

Eliminates overpayments to private Medicare plans

Extends the Medicare Trust Fund to 2026

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