Much to the chagrin of House Republican naysayers, health reform is improving care for seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare while reducing their out-of-pocket costs.
899,000 - The number of people with Medicare Part D - which provides prescription drug coverage - who have benefitted from the 50 percent discount on brand name drugs in the donut hole.
17,336,421 - The number of people with traditional Medicare who have already received one or more free preventive services.
1,061,780 - The number of people with traditional Medicare who have already taken advantage of the new Annual Wellness Visit, up 36 percent from mid-June.
$30 - The average 2012 Medicare prescription drug plan premium, a drop from $30.76 this year.
Rep. Pete Stark, Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee: "Republicans want seniors to fear health reform, but they're the party who would end Medicare and leave seniors with an underfunded voucher to buy private health insurance. Today's numbers prove once again that Republicans are wrong. Health reform has improved Medicare and lowered seniors' costs."
Rep. Sander Levin, Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee: “This is the latest evidence of what we all knew would be true: Health care reform is lowering costs and expanding care for seniors and people with disabilities. At every turn, we will defend these vital benefits from Republican repeal efforts."
