Conyers: Under Obamacare, Michigan Medicare Enrollees Have Saved $350 Million on Prescription Drugsj

More Than 1.3 Million Michigan Medicare Beneficiaries Received Free Preventive Services in 2013

(WASHINGTON) – Four years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, seniors and people with disabilities continue to enjoy lower costs and greater benefits thanks to the law’s historic reforms, saving$9.9 billion nationally on prescription drug costs alone. In 2013 alone, 178,697 Michigan seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare saved $188,248,200, or an average of $1,053 per beneficiary.  The Affordable Care Act makes Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable by gradually closing the gap in coverage where beneficiaries had to pay the full cost of their prescriptions out of pocket, before catastrophic coverage for prescriptions took effect - the so-called “donut hole.” The law also made certain preventive services available free of charge, eliminating coinsurance and the Part B deductible for recommended preventive services, including many cancer screenings and other essential benefits. On this anniversary, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“The Affordable Care Act is protecting the well-being and the wallets of seniors and people with disabilities in Michigan and throughout the nation. In 2013 alone, 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries, including 178,697 Michiganders have seen dramatic savings on their prescription drugs. The annual checkups and other free preventive services available because of this historic law have also enabled seniors to look after themselves without spending all of their savings and retirement to do so,” said Conyers.

 “Four years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, millions of seniors, students, workers, entrepreneurs and families are discovering new health security - and new financial security as well. With just one week remaining until the March 31^st deadline, I encourage everyone to enroll and to ensure that family and friends enroll. With nearly 6 in every 10 uninsured able to find coverage for $100 or less thanks to financial assistance programs, we need to work together to make sure every uninsured individual accesses healthcare.

“Further, I am very pleased that Michigan’s Medicaid expansion, Healthy Michigan, will open as planned at 12:01 am on April 1. This Medicaid expansion is expected to extend health care coverage to an additional 470,000 Michiganders, including many who have never had coverage before.   

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions, can no longer limit the amount of care you get or charge woman more. It is already benefiting millions, including the 5 million who have signed up in the state and federal marketplaces, the 4.4 million who have signed up, renewed or found eligibility themselves eligible for Medicaid coverage, and the 3.1 million young adults who can stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26. The Affordable Care Act means personal and economic freedom for millions of Americans. With strong participation so far, we anticipate enrollment momentum to continue to build in this last week. I hope Republicans will work with Democrats to improve and strengthen the law’s historic protections moving forward.”

The deadline to enroll for coverage this year under the Affordable Care Act is Monday, March 31^st. Enroll online at www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for more health insurance information.

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