Israel: Plugging the 'Donut Hole' in Medicare

Dear Friends,

A little over a year ago, millions of seniors were stuck in the Medicare “donut hole” – a gap in coverage that forces seniors to pay the full cost of their Part D prescription drugs. For the many seniors who were affected, the donut hole created a significant financial burden.

But because of legislation I supported, that gap begins to close this year as seniors receive a half-off discount on their brand-name prescription drugs that fall into the donut hole. Seniors across the country are already benefiting. In fact, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services, in just the first half of this year, seniors saved more than $166 million on their prescription drugs – that’s an average savings of $613 per person.

Furthermore, most seniors who reach the donut hole have yet to take advantage of the discount because they won’t reach the coverage gap until the end of the year. This discount on brand-name prescription drugs and other savings on generic drugs in the donut hole will continue until the gap is closed in 2020.

For more information on health care and my work fighting for senior citizens, visit my website at http://israel.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Steve Israel

(D-2) Member of Congress