Currently, seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Medicare Part D drug program face a gap in coverage called the “doughnut hole,” where they must pay the full cost of their drugs, up to $3,610. In addition, many preventive services under Medicare come with out-of-pocket copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles that discourage beneficiaries from using these services.

The Republican proposals do nothing to help people on Medicare with the cost of prescription drugs in the “doughnut hole” or to help lower-income people who struggle to pay Medicare premiums and copayments. Furthermore, Republican proposals support the privatization of Medicare even though private Medicare Advantage plans receive more than $150 billion in extra payments that come out of the pockets of taxpayers and people in Medicare. In contrast, proposals passed by both the House and Senate will reduce or close the prescription drug doughnut hole and will expand programs that help lower-income Medicare beneficiaries with their premiums and copayments. The House and Senate proposals will also reduce the overpayments to private Medicare plans and help assure the long-term solvency of the Medicare program.

Next: Republican proposals will do nothing to reduce health care costs or improve the quality of health care for Americans.

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