What’s Happening with Seniors Benefits

by Art Kelly

1.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) never-ending efforts to hype Obamacare's alleged benefits have produced a series of blatant news releases paid for by the taxpayers.

However, some of the information may still be helpful to seniors and their families.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) states that, so far this year, more than 2.2 million Medicare recipients have saved more than $1.2 billion on their prescriptions, for an average of $550 per person. 

And more than 22.6 million seniors and people with disabilities have taken advantage of at least one free Medicare preventive benefit, including the new Annual Wellness Visit "made possible by the Affordable Care Act," according to a CMS news release.

The Affordable Care Act is the name that Obamacare is called by the Obama Administration.  The official name of the President's health care law is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  
 
"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, seniors are getting cheaper prescription drugs and free preventive care," said Dr. Donald Berwick, the Administrator of CMS and prominent advocate of rationing medical care.

"Under the Affordable Care Act, people with Medicare can receive many preventive services at no charge, including diabetes screening, some cancer screenings, and help to quit smoking," the news release stated.  "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, seniors and people with disabilities receive a 50% discount on covered brand name drugs in the Medicare Part D 'donut hole'." 

Medicare recently announced that average Medicare Advantage premiums will drop 4% next year. 

Part B premiums, which cover outpatient services including doctor visits, will only rise $3.50 per month for most beneficiaries in 2012, and some will see a decrease.  These changes will be more than offset by the average Social Security cost of living increase of $43 per month.

Information is available online on "how the Affordable Care Act closes the donut hole over time" at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11493.pdf

Medicare has a website devoted to providing information on the prevention benefits at http://www.medicare.gov/share-the-health/

2. Despite the continual drumbeat of government propaganda for Obamacare, a series of polls show voters are solidly in favor of repealing this law.

The latest survey from Rasmussen Reports found that 55% favor repeal of Obamacare (including 42% who feel strongly about repealing it), while 37% want to keep it (including 26% who strongly want to keep it), and 8% are undecided.

"Just 17% believe the quality of health care in America will improve as a result of the new health care law" and "only 18% of voters expect health care costs to decrease under the law," Rasmussen stated.

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