One million get drug relief from health reform

Older voters were the age group least supportive of Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign, and polls indicate they are the most wary of the new health-care law he helped push through Congress. Older patients in South Florida were especially disturbed by cutbacks to Medicare Advantage programs run by HMOs. Kathleen Sebelius Perhaps that’s one reason Kathleen Sebelius on Monday celebrated a milestone in one popular aspect of the new law: more than 1 million Medicare patients have received a $250 rebate check for prescription drug costs. More than a quarter of the 4 million checks that Medicare expects to distribute nationwide have been received by eligible beneficiaries. The checks automatically come in the mail when beneficiaries reach a gap in drug coverage known as the doughnut hole. “These checks will make a difference in helping seniors continue to get the medications they need, and are one of many ways that the Affordable Care Act is helping

seniors,” said Sebelius, secretary of health and human services. Congressman Ron Klein — a Democrat from Boca Raton, who represents large numbers of senior citizens and faces a tough re-election campaign — persuaded House leaders to accelerate the new drug benefits to begin this year. Next year, those who fall into the coverage gap will receive a 50-percent discount on covered brand-name medications. Medicare patients will pay a little less each year until the coverage gap is closed. Sebelius’ announcement made no reference to politics, of course, but it seemed calculated to reassure senior citizens, a key constituency. “Older white voters have a more negative view of Obama,” noted Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory University who tracks congressional elections. “Older voters also turn out (at the polls) and make up a larger share of the electorate in mid-term elections.”

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One million get drug relief from health reform

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