Asst. Speaker Clark, Senator Warren, Secretary Becerra celebrate health care wins for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act

Joined AARP advocates, patients and community providers for roundtable discussion at Waltham Senior Center

Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (5^th District of Massachusetts), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra joined AARP advocates, patients and community providers for a roundtable discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act at the Waltham Senior Center. Their conversation highlighted how this legislation significantly reduces health care costs and puts money back into the pockets of older Americans.

“With the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors won’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for lifesaving prescriptions. More families will be able to afford health care, and fewer Americans will be uninsured,” said Assistant Speaker Clark.

“Starting this year, Americans will save about $800 a year. What else? If a drug manufacturer tries to increase the price of their drug above the inflation rate, they have to return to the Medicare program the difference between the inflation rate and what they’re charging. As a result, they don’t make a profit above what they should, and you don’t have to pay more,” said Secretary Becerra. “To Assistant Speaker Clark and the Senator: thank you for having the foresight to do big things for Americans, but more importantly, to everyone here, thank you for having the foresight to elect them.”

The Inflation Reduction Act is a game changer for American seniors. In Massachusetts, it will not only bring down costs but make it possible for seniors to age with the dignity they deserve by:

• Capping Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs at $2,000
• Allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs
• Capping insulin copays at $35 per month
• Expanding eligibility for Part D low-income subsidies
• Expanding no cost vaccine coverage for Medicare beneficiaries

Clark has long been a champion for lowering health care costs and ensuring seniors can age with the dignity they deserve. She voted for critical legislation to provide older Americans with much-needed support, including capping the price of insulin at $35 a month and expanding health insurance coverage for seniors.