Rep. Matsui Calls for Colleagues to Join the Effort to Keep Medicare Part B Premiums and Deductibles Affordable for Millions of Seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 22, 2015
CONTACT:
LAUREN DART
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Calls for Colleagues to Join the Effort to Keep Medicare Part B Premiums and Deductibles Affordable for Millions of Seniors
In California, Without Action by Congress, A Total of 2,192,000 Seniors Will Be Affected by A Sharp Spike in Their Medicare Premium in 2016
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) called for Congress to immediately act to protect seniors and people with disabilities from significant increases in their 2016 Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles. Congresswoman Matsui is cosponsoring legislation, introduced by Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), that would fix this problem, keeping Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles for all Medicare enrollees at the 2015 levels.
Congresswoman Matsui stated on a press call with fellow Democrats today, "Projected increases in Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles in 2016 will be devastating to our seniors, forcing patients to sacrifice necessary care. I am especially concerned about the impact of these increases on women seniors who make up nearly 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries age 85 and older.
"Affordable health care is key to guaranteeing that all Americans do not have to live in poverty. I know I have heard from women and men in my district who are concerned about making ends meet due potential increases in Medicare premiums. Our seniors should not be left to make these hard choices.
"If House Republicans do not join us to protect seniors, older Americans' hard earned benefits will be put at risk, which will be particularly devastating for our most vulnerable populations. We have an obligation to act."
In California alone, a total of 2,192,000 Medicare enrollees will be affected by this spike in the premium - including 1,242,000 who are low-income and whose premium increase will be paid by the state Medicaid program and 949,000 who will have to personally pay this dramatic increase in their premiums. In addition, California's state government will have to pay $377,837,000 for the premium increase for low-income seniors.
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