9/2/2010- Sires Announces Over One Million Medicare Beneficiaries Have Received “Donut Hole” Checks

For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: Erica Daughtrey

September 2, 2010                                                                  201-222-2828

46,309 New Jerseyans affected by the donut hole have received assistance

Washington, D.C- Today, Congressman Sires announced that more than one million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries have now received “donut hole” checks to begin to close their prescription drug coverage gap.  The fourth round of checks since health reform took effect has gone out over the last few days.  Under the Affordable Care Act, seniors whose prescription drug costs are so high that they fall in the Medicare prescription drug donut hole coverage gap in 2010 are receiving this one-time tax-free $250 rebate check- and the gap will be fully closed over the next ten years.

“This is the first example of how the health care reform bill will strengthen Medicare and help seniors,” stated Congressman Sires.  “This check will assist in saving our seniors thousands of dollars a year in drug costs and beginning in January 2011, seniors in the donut hole will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs”

Experts estimate that a total of 4 million seniors will receive a donut hole check over the next several months, as these checks will continue to be mailed out.  A total of 46,309 Medicare beneficiaries in New Jersey have received a donut hole check so far.

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