Bart Stupak: “Starting this week, tax-free rebate checks of $250 will be sent to seniors who have already hit the part D doughnut…”

“Starting this week, tax-free rebate checks of $250 will be sent to seniors who have already hit the part D doughnut hole. This $250 rebate is a key improvement to Medicare and the first Medicare benefit of the new health care reform law to take effect. These rebates are being sent out 3 months ahead of schedule, and the first round of checks will reach nearly 80,000 seniors who are already in the doughnut hole. Following this initial round of rebate checks, additional checks will be sent to seniors as they hit the doughnut hole. It's estimated that 4 million seniors across the country will receive a $250 rebate check this year. This is just a first phase of relief for seniors from prescription drug costs. Next year, seniors in the doughnut hole will see a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs. While the Medicare part D prescription drug program has helped millions of seniors obtain prescription drug coverage, seniors who fall into the doughnut hole and receive no financial assistance with their prescription drugs are often forced to put their health in danger by splitting pills or skipping treatments altogether to save on costs. Despite the clear benefits to seniors from the health care reform legislation, Republican leaders have now made it a priority to repeal this landmark law, which will take away these prescription drug cost savings and other benefits for seniors and millions of Americans. It is now time that we implement further reform.”