WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier today, President Obama joined key lawmakers and health care stakeholders in announcing an agreement to help reduce out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) issued the following statements in response:
“I welcome this announcement and am pleased to hear that the Members and stakeholders involved share our commitment to addressing the prescription drug ‘donut hole,’ which currently forces millions of seniors and people with disabilities to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses for their medications," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). “The House health reform discussion draft includes a straightforward provision to close the ‘donut hole’ over time. I look forward to working with the Administration, the Senate, and stakeholders to ensure affordable prescription drugs for all under Medicare."
“The ‘donut hole’ has been a problem since Part D was created, and we have developed an enforceable solution to ensure that all seniors and people with disabilities are no longer forced to foot the entire bill for drugs that should be covered under Medicare," said Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA). “Today’s announcement brings key stakeholders to the table, and I am hopeful that we can work together to achieve the goal of guaranteeing coverage in the ‘donut hole.’"
