Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Visits Edward King House Senior Center in Newport to Discuss Inflation Reduction Act
On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse visited the Edward King House in Newport to meet with members of the senior center and discuss healthcare issues, including the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act on Aquidneck Island seniors. The act was passed in August of 2022 and includes provisions aimed at reducing costs for Medicare recipients.
During the visit, Whitehouse discussed several of the bill’s key impacts, including a $2,000 price cap on the cost of prescription drugs for seniors with Medicare Part D, a $35 per month price cap on insulin co-pays, and free vaccinations under Medicare Part D for certain viruses like shingles. Whitehouse’s staff distributed a flyer to the seniors in attendance, highlighting additional provisions such as the expansion of eligibility for full Part D Low-Income Subsidies to Medicare beneficiaries with incomes up to 150% of the poverty level in 2024 and Medicare’s ability to negotiate for cheaper drug prices starting in 2026.
Improved Financial Protections for Medicare Beneficiaries
Whitehouse emphasized the improved financial protections that the Inflation Reduction Act will bring to Medicare beneficiaries. Currently, beneficiaries with conditions such as cancer or multiple sclerosis can face huge out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and millions of people struggle to afford their medications. The improved financial protections will phase in starting in 2024, with the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap taking effect in 2025.
Negotiating with Drug Companies for Cheaper Prices
Whitehouse explained that the provision giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for cheaper prices should significantly reduce the cost for certain expensive medications. He pointed out that the VA already has the ability to negotiate on some drug prices, which is why it can offer certain prescriptions cheaper than Medicare.
Newport Seniors Speak Up on National Issues
The Newporters in attendance took an active role in the discussion, pressing their senator to comment not only on the healthcare issues he came to discuss but also on social security, changes to SNAP food assistance levels and eligibility requirements, recent revelations about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s undisclosed financial ties to billionaire Harlan Crow, and former President Donald Trump’s chances in the GOP primary.
One attendee who spoke up was Carol Murchie, who characterized her living situation as housing insecure. She discussed how much she and other seniors in similar financial conditions have been affected by the end of the emergency SNAP benefit allocation. Her monthly SNAP benefit dropped from $281 to $23 per month, which she said was not enough.
Carmela Greer, executive director of the Edward King House, praised Whitehouse for being personable and accessible to his senior citizen constituents. She said he visits the Edward King House 1-2 times per year and noted that the three most important issues for the seniors in her community are Medicare, Social Security, and affordability issues including housing and food.
Overall, Senator Whitehouse’s visit to the Edward King House highlighted the important provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at reducing healthcare costs for seniors and improving financial protections. The discussion also revealed the broad range of national issues that seniors are concerned about and the need for policy initiatives that address their needs.
Original Story at www.newportri.com – 2023-06-08 09:23:08
