Fact #126: King would raise prescription drug costs for 46,000 Medicare recipients in Iowa
Congressman Steve King has represented Iowa for ten years. He says he shares Iowans’ values, but his record and his statements over the years paint a different picture.
Does Congressman King think Iowans want to raise prescription drug prices for over 46,000 Medicare recipients in the state?
Because that’s exactly what he wants to do.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling last week on health care reform, King called for a full repeal of the law, including the provisions that are closing the donut hole in Medicare Part D:
“I don’t want to hear any talk from Republicans about preserving any aspect of it. It just dilutes the argument. It’s all or none. This is it, we’re all in and I’m ready for that fight.”
What Congressman King isn’t telling Iowans is that by removing every aspect of the health care bill - instead of reforming it as Christie Vilsack has suggested - prescription drug costs would increase for over 46,000 Iowa seniors.
Previously, once seniors reached the coverage gap in Medicare – commonly called the donut hole - they were forced to pay out-of-pocket for the prescription drugs that they need. As a result of health care reform, Medicare recipients receive a rebate check to help make prescription drugs more affordable once they reach the donut hole. More than 46,000 Iowa seniors have already received rebate checks under this system, and at the current rate, the donut hole will be completely closed by 2020.
Congressman King would remove this provision of the law and once again force seniors to pay out-of-pocket when they reach the donut hole. That’s not what’s best for the people of the 4th Congressional District or Medicare recipients across the country.
