Congressman Pallone Marks Second Anniversary of Affordable Care Act with Visit to Senior Community in Marlboro, NJ
Pallone visits Greebriar Senior Community to discuss benefits and savings for seniors as a result of the Affordable Care Act
MARLBORO, NJ—Commemorating the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, spoke with seniors today at the Greenbriar Senior Community in Marlboro, NJ about the benefits and savings possible as a result of the health reform law. These benefits are at stake when the Supreme Court takes up the health care law and begins three days of oral arguments on March 26.
Pallone, one of the principal authors of the Affordable Care Act, stressed the important cost-savings the law has provided for seniors, many of whom live on a fixed income. It provides a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs for seniors who fall in the Medicare Part D “donut hole” coverage gap and will completely close the “donut hole” by 2020. Last year, nearly 126,000 New Jersey Medicare recipients saved more than $95 million on prescription drugs thanks to this provision of the Affordable Care Act.
“As we mark the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act on March 23, seniors in New Jersey and across the country are already seeing real health benefits from the law, from prescription drug savings to free coverage of key preventative services,” said Pallone. “These services save lives and reduce health care costs, a win-win for seniors and the American taxpayer.”
More than 32 million seniors nationwide have taken advantage of free preventative services like colonoscopies and mammograms now covered by Medicare, including nearly a million New Jersey seniors. Likewise, free wellness visits are now available through Medicare, another health benefit of the law.
“Reminding seniors of the benefits and savings from the Affordable Care Act is especially critical now as Republicans in Congress continue to try to repeal it,” said Pallone. “The law already provides important health services and savings for seniors and is set to do even more as it is implemented over the next few years,” he added.
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Contact:
Ray Zaccaro
202-225-4671