Medicare at 45: Health Reform Brings New Benefits for Retirees

July 30, 2010

For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275

July 30, 2010                                                                        dblank@retiredamericans.org

45th Anniversary of “True American Success Story”

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans: 

“Today is the 45th anniversary of Medicare, a milestone for a true American success story that has helped reduce senior poverty by two-thirds.

“This year is an especially happy birthday for Medicare, because the new health reform law makes it easier for seniors to afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and receive free preventive screenings and tests for serious diseases.

“But unfortunately too many retirees remain skeptical and unaware of these new benefits.  This is the shameful legacy of sustained scare tactics and falsehoods aimed at older Americans during the health care debate. The truth is the new health law helps retirees in several ways:

  • It provides a $250 rebate to those in the Medicare “doughnut hole,” and in subsequent years fully closes this coverage gap;
  • It ends co-payments and deductibles for annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies, and other preventive screenings;
  • It helps early retirees age 55-64 better afford and keep their private health insurance;
  • It helps middle-class families afford the high costs of long-term care; and
  • It strengthens the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by ending wasteful taxpayer subsidies and overpayments to private insurance companies who operate Medicare Advantage programs.

“The Alliance for Retired Americans has prepared an extensive series of fact sheets on these new benefits.  They are available at www.RetiredAmericans.org.

“To me, the best way to celebrate Medicare’s 45th birthday is to educate our friends and neighbors on how this new health law can help them live longer, healthier lives.”

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