Do advocates of repeal expect 21,000 Nevada seniors to send back those checks?

January 21, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that 20,994 Nevada Medicare beneficiaries who fell into the “doughnut hole” coverage gap have received a one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check to help them with their prescription drugs costs. Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, three million eligible beneficiaries have received this cost relief.

“Thanks to health insurance reform, nearly 21,000 Nevada seniors have already received $250 tax-free rebate checks to help them afford their prescription drug medication,” said Reid.  “Do advocates of repealing health insurance reform expect them to send their checks back?  Instead of trying to raise prescription drug costs on Nevada seniors, proponents of repeal should start working to create jobs and strengthen our economy.”

Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed, nearly 60,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada would have to pay more for their prescription drugs, costing seniors an average of $4,080 more per year. Nevada’s 300,000 Medicare recipients would have to start paying for services like checkups and mammograms that are currently free thanks to the Affordable Care Act. 

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