Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deane Beebe
Communications Director
212-204-6219
Medicare Rights CenterSeptember 30, 2005
Medicare Premium Assistance Program Expires Tonight, Unless Congress Acts New York, NY – A federal program that pays Medicare Part B premiums for low-income people with Medicare will terminate tonight unless Congress reauthorizes it.
“Medicare premiums continue to increase at double-digit rates,” said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer service group. “The Senate, with broad bi-partisan support, has reauthorized the program. Everyone – including President Bush – supports the program. But the dysfunctional House of Representatives is off for the weekend.
“Where is our national leadership when it comes to paying attention to the business of assisting the elderly, disabled and poor Americans?” Mr. Hayes said.
Beginning in January 2006, the Medicare Part B premium will increase 13.2 percent to $88.50 a month ($1,062 annually), up from this year’s monthly premium of $78.20. Medicare Part B covers services such as doctors’ visits, laboratory tests, and outpatient care.
About 186,000 older and disabled Americans, with incomes between 120 to 135 percent of the poverty level, and assets below $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple in most states, will lose their Medicare premium support when the Qualified Individual (QI) program expires tonight. The QI program is one of three Medicare Savings Programs that helps low-income people with Medicare lower their out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Yesterday the Senate voted on a bill to extend the QI program through 2006, but the House has not introduced any measures to reauthorize it.