Paul Tonko: “Thank you, Representative Holmes Norton. You know, you talk about the struggle and the move to repeal. It obviously…”

“Thank you, Representative Holmes Norton. You know, you talk about the struggle and the move to repeal. It obviously didn't place consumers first and foremost in that thought process. It was probably listening to those deep pockets of interest that did not want to be pulled to the table to provide better outcomes for our consumers. Look at the benefits of the health care law for our seniors: 5.1 million seniors receiving savings on their prescription drugs. Actually, I've seen this number as high as 5.3 million, and probably climbing in the short order of time. What an important, significant savings. I hear it all the time from seniors in my district who are always reaching into their pockets after that doughnut hole is hit, and they get the benefit for a while until they hit a certain threshold. As we all know, many, in a short order of months, are digging into their own pockets. These are medications that are required to stay well, and in many cases to stay alive. There are 32.5 million seniors receiving free preventative services-- health care screenings, the annual checkup, flu shots--items that are brought to their benefit in order to, again, underscore the value added of wellness. Strengthening consumer protections for seniors in the part D program, something I heard a lot of favorable review about, and 85 percent of Medicare Advantage plan revenues going toward senior medical care rather than profits for the insurance industry. So these are big changes.…”