WISCONSIN — Hours before President Biden delivers his State of the Union Address – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Protect Our Care to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care across the country.
This evening, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. During his speech, Biden is expected to herald passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last year, which is already lowering health care costs for Seniors on Medicare and consumers securing health insurance coverage through the Obamacare marketplace.
As of January 1st, monthly insulin costs for Seniors on Medicare are capped at $35/month out of pocket – a benefit expected to save Wisconsin Seniors hundreds of dollars this year alone. One of those Medicare enrollees, David Hovde of Appelton, was invited to attend the State of the Union Address by Wisconsin’s junior senator after hearing his story.
“I was diagnosed with diabetes nearly 20 years and have been taking insulin for about 15 years and have watched as the costs have steadily risen,” said Mr. David Hovde. “I was fortunate, I had pretty good insurance but nonetheless, for two types of insulin, it was costing me several hundred dollars per month.”
Other provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act are also saving seniors on Medicare as of January 1st. Vaccines such as shingles and dTAP are now available with no co-pay or out of pocket cost, and out of pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 for Medicare enrollees this year. The Inflation Reduction Act also extended Advanced Premium Tax Credits that have led to record enrollment in the Obamacare marketplace in the most recent open enrollment period for two years.
“While the inflation reduction act is an extremely significant step, there is work yet to do (to lower health care costs),” said Senator Baldwin. Later, she referenced capping insulin costs at $35/month for all Americans and making the Advanced Premium Tax Credits permanent as top health care priorities.
Protect Our Care released its agenda for 2023, calling on Congress to keep up the momentum to lower health care costs, improve care, and advance health equity.
A recording of the event can be viewed here.
