Joe Baca: “The historic health reform passed earlier this year is already having a positive impact on millions of American seniors.…”

“The historic health reform passed earlier this year is already having a positive impact on millions of American seniors. Starting today, Medicare will begin mailing out $250 rebate checks to assist those who fall into the prescription drug doughnut hole. In my home State of California, over 382,000 seniors will now find it a little bit easier to afford lifesaving medicine they need, no longer making the decision of paying for medicine, paying for mortgages, or putting food on the table, but getting the service they need. Starting next year, seniors in the doughnut hole will receive an additional 50 percent discount on all brand-name drugs. By the year 2020, the new law will totally close the doughnut hole. But the benefits don't stop there. Health reform will provide free preventive care services to all Medicare recipients, and that extends Medicare solvency by an additional 12 years to the year 2029. Those who continue to call for repeal of reform want to move us back to the era of higher drug costs and less security for seniors. Democrats will continue to fight to protect our most vulnerable Americans.”