Sen. Carper Highlights Billions of Dollars in Health Care Savings, Better Access to Care for Millions of Americans through the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) highlighted billions of dollars in prescription drug savings and better access to vital health services for millions of Medicare patients as a result of the Affordable Care Act. In new results released today by the Department of Health and Human Services, 2.65 million seniors and people with disabilities covered by Medicare Part D have saved more than $1.5 billion on their prescriptions – averaging about $569 per recipient – in 2011. Additionally, more than 24 million Medicare recipients have received a free annual physical or other screening exam for illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes – a provision made possible by Affordable Care Act.

Because of the new benefits implemented by the Affordable Care Act, nearly 9,400 Delawareans covered by Medicare Part D have saved more than $6.5 million – averaging $696.26 per person – on their prescriptions in 2011 and nearly 6,700 have received a free annual wellness exam.

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, thousands of Delawareans and millions of Americans continue to receive significant health benefits and cost-savings, helping our nation achieve better health outcomes for less money,” said Sen. Carper. “Since it went into effect over 18 months ago, the Affordable Care Act has significantly reduced the costly burden of prescription drugs for thousands of seniors in Delaware and millions across the nation caught in the Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole.’ I am also heartened to see that millions of seniors are actively engaging in preventive care by taking full advantage of free yearly physicals and other screening exams to help prevent costly – and deadly – diseases. If we can reduce the number of preventable illnesses and other serious ailments now, the less we will spend overall on health care costs and the healthier we will be as a nation. The Affordable Care Act gives families and seniors in the First State and across the country better access to vital services a lower cost.”

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