Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today announced that according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, more than 3,800 seniors in Michigan's 15th Congressional District have received $250 rebates to offset the cost of their prescription medicines. These rebates were made possible because of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
"Today's news is proof of the many good things the health care reform bill is already doing for the American people. The Medicare Part D coverage gap has long been a burden for seniors in the 15th District. As the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise, these rebate checks will ease the struggles of many of our seniors. I am proud of this first step in eliminating the prescription drug gap."
The Medicare Part D program was created in 2003 and began offering benefits in January 2006. While this program has been valuable to seniors across the country, the Medicare Part D prescription drug gap -- where seniors lose coverage entirely for a portion of the year -- has been a persistent problem.
This year, seniors who fall into the Medicare prescription drug gap will receive a $250 rebate check. Next year, seniors in the gap will get a 50 percent discount on all brand name drugs. By 2020, the prescription drug gap will be eliminated.
For more information on the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug program see: http://www.cms.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/09_ProgramReports.asp#TopOfPage
