OWINGS MILLS, MD —
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today told seniors at the Atrium Village that a lot of misinformation has been circulated about the newly enacted

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
and that he was there
“to
set the record straight” about additional benefits for seniors in the new law and how they will improve their health care.

 

“Too much bad information is out there about the new law and I am here today to  be sure you have the correct information and are fully informed about your new benefits,” 
Senator Cardin told the seniors.

 

 The health reform bill was signed into law on March 23 and it contains a number of provisions that will benefit seniors, including closing the Medicare Part D “donut hole” for prescription drug coverage by 2020, elimination of deductibles, co-pays and other cost sharing for preventive care beginning in 2011, free annual wellness checkups beginning in 2011, and the creation of a voluntary long-term care insurance program in 2012.  In 2014, the new law will institute a number of provisions, including the creation a pathway for the approval of generic biologic drugs to lower the cost of medications, promotion of better care after hospital discharge, development of better reporting about quality of health care services and using provider payments to reward high-quality, efficient health care. 

 

 “Seniors are the biggest users of our health care system and that’s why it’s so important that they understand the additional benefits that are contained in the health reform law and how it will improve the health care they receive,” said
Senator Cardin. “I want to be sure you have the facts so that you and your families can make informed decisions about the new law and your benefits.