HARRISBURG, PA, October 25, 2023 – This afternoon, Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour arrived in Harrisburg to educate seniors across the nation about new cost-saving benefits, all thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law last year by President Biden. As seniors in Pennsylvania begin to enroll in their 2024 Medicare plans, they could save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug costs, with even more savings down the road. During the event, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, local elected leaders, and healthcare advocates discussed the importance of the $35 per prescription per month insulin cap, the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap starting in 2025, and the Drug Price Negotiation Program for seniors in Pennsylvania.
“The Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions for Medicare are really important for Pennsylvania. We have the fifth-highest percentage of residents who are age 65 or older. There are nearly 3 million Pennsylvanians covered through Medicare,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “Medicare beneficiaries can now receive shingles vaccinations and other recommended shots completely free of charge. For the more than 80,000 Pennsylvanians on Medicare who depend on insulin-they are now saving money every month because the Inflation Reduction Act caps their out-ofpocket expense at $35 a month. And there are even more savings coming soon thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.”
“Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we are proving that Medicare today is truly better than ever. I heard from seniors directly here in Harrisburg, some of whom were paying more than $200 a month for insulin. Today, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, they are paying less than $50 a month for life-saving health care,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. “The Inflation Reduction Act will do more than help to save wallets throughout our city and the commonwealth; it will help save lives.”
“Sadly, too often, seniors in Dauphin County and across Pennsylvania are faced with extremely difficult choices when on limited incomes. They’ve worked hard, raised a family, and made a better life for future generations,” said Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick. “Now, those of us in government need to ensure we advance their interests and provide the opportunities they deserve.”
“Protect Our Care is going coast to coast to make sure every senior understands the savings they are receiving thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Protect Our Care Pennsylvania State Director Michael Berman. “Seniors who are tired of paying three to four times more for their prescription drugs than people in other countries will finally see change. No longer can big drug companies charge whatever they want for life-saving medications while seniors cut pills and skip doses because of high costs. The Inflation Reduction Act put Medicare back in the driver’s seat to deliver savings to seniors.”
“Improvements to the Medicare program are adding up to savings and improved access to affordable treatments because of the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Kristi Martin from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “If you have Medicare and take insulin, you’ll pay no more than $35 per month for insulin, and people with Medicare drug coverage will pay nothing out of pocket for recommended vaccines.”
Tomorrow, the “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour will continue in Michigan, stopping in Flint and Lansing. Over three weeks, Protect Our Care will travel to more than 10 states, make more than 25 stops, and travel over 7,000 miles to educate seniors about the Inflation Reduction Act’s cost-saving benefits.
