Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Highlighting Benefits of A

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Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Highlighting Benefits of Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered remarks today at a press conference highlighting benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Since it was signed into law two years ago, health reform has made it possible for over 32 million seniors on Medicare to access free preventive services. It has reduced the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare Part D, and it will eliminate the donut hole by the end of this decade.
“The cost containment provisions in the Affordable Care Act are already slowing the growth of Medicare spending, with many beneficiaries’ premiums and deductibles already going down or growing at the lowest rates in years.
“Republicans, on the other hand, want to end the Medicare guarantee and turn Medicare into a voucher program that would ask seniors to pay more than $6,000 a year out of pocket. Americans who are age 54 would have to save an additional $182,000 just to cover their health care costs in retirement. The donut hole would reopen, swallowing an additional $44 billion in extra drug costs for seniors through 2020.
“You’re now going to hear from an American who was falling into the donut hole every year. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, his Medicare prescription drug costs are much lower, and – as I said – the donut hole is closing.
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“Thank you, Bob, for sharing your story with us today.
“Passing the Affordable Care Act was especially important at a time when our economy has forced many families and small businesses to make difficult choices about spending.
“That’s why one of the key parts of the Affordable Care Act is about bringing costs down for small businesses. 360,000 small businesses have already claimed part of the $40 billion in tax credits created by the Affordable Care Act to help them provide affordable coverage to over 2 million workers.
“To talk about the positive effects health reform is having on the small business he and his wife own in Maryland, let me invite Brian England up to the podium.”



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