Medicare Patients See Millions in Savings

[cbayer]

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicare/28448

Total savings provided to Medicare patients in the "doughnut hole" by the Affordable Care Act has reached more than $600 million so far in 2011, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

- snip-


The discounts have totaled $660 million in savings for seniors and people with disabilities thus far this year, with an average savings of $517 per patient, CMS said in a statement.

CMS also noted a substantial increase in the number of patients that have received the 50% discount on brand-name drugs through Medicare Part D. By the end of May, around 478,000 patients purchased discounted drugs. This number increased to 1.28 million by the end of July -- far greater than CMS' earlier estimate of an additional 400,000 patients for the entire year.

"Today's news confirms that the Affordable Care Act is saving money for millions of seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare," Donald M. Berwick, MD, administrator for CMS, said in the brief.

more at link

[WhiteTara]

1. Now, if they would allow price negotiation by the government,

it would save billions more.

[cbayer]

2. Absolutely agree

[chill_wind]

3. Agree. Huge important factor

in economist Stiglitz's opinion, in this very recent Op-ed:

Thinking about the deficit, we need to reflect back 10 years, when the country had such a large surplus at 2 percent of GDP that the Federal Reserve Bank chairman worried we would soon pay off the entire national debt — making the conduct of monetary policy difficult. Knowing how we went from that situation to this helps us think through how to solve the deficit problem.

There have been four major changes: First, tax cuts beyond the country’s ability to afford. Second, two costly wars and soaring military expenditures — contributing roughly $2.5 trillion to our debt. Third, Medicare Part D — and the provision restricting government, the largest drug buyer, from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies, at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars over 10 years. Fourth, the recession.

Reversing these four policies would quickly put the country on the road of fiscal responsibility. The single most important thing, however, is putting America back to work: Higher incomes mean higher tax revenues.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D1BBF019-6BEF-4BC4-B6BD-4FE97CD05322

[Frustratedlady]

4. Spot on! I have a friend who has ONE med that is $900+ per month.

If it weren't for her children, she would have lost her home by now. That one med eats up almost all of her SS payment.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Good news. Has PUMA Jane Hamster Face seen this? Do those who still want to "Kill The Bill" care?

There are alleged Democrats who side with Republicans on wanting to repeal HCR. I wonder if they care anything about the facts.

Bookmarked. Thanks!

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. K&R

[bigdarryl]

7. Your not going to see this on FIXED NEWS or MSNBC unless Ed or Rachel brings it up

excuse me Al Sharpton would speak on it also

[great white snark]

8. K&R. Great news.

Thank you.