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Republican Plan Will End Medicare As We Know It and Force Iowa Seniors to Pay More for Health Care

From the Democratic Policy and Communications Center –

The Republican budget would end Medicare as we know it by moving seniors from guaranteed benefits to a voucher program that sticks them with higher health care costs. For the third budget in a row, Republicans have made it clear that they would rather rely on seniors to shoulder the burden of deficit reduction than close even one tax loophole that benefits wealthy special interests. The consequences for seniors are devastating.

439,726 Iowa seniors would be forced out of traditional Medicare and into a voucher program. Under the Republican plan to end Medicare as we know it, all Iowa seniors will receive a voucher instead of guaranteed benefits under traditional Medicare beginning in 2024. For the 439,726 Iowans aged 45-54 at the time of the most recent Census, the value of their vouchers would be capped at growth levels that are lower than the projected increases in health care costs. Previous analyses showed that this type of plan would cut future spending by $5,900 per senior, forcing them to spend more out of pocket and diminishing their access to quality care. Private insurance plans will aggressively pursue the healthiest, least expensive enrollees, thereby allowing Medicare – currently the lifeline for 531,209 Iowa seniors – to “wither on the vine.” [House Republican Budget, 3/12/13; CAP, 3/20/12; Census, accessed on 3/10/13; KFF, accessed on 3/10/13]

39,260 Iowa seniors would pay more for prescription drugs next year. The Republican plan would re-open the “donut hole,” forcing seniors to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs if their yearly drug expenses are more than $2,970 for the year. As a result, more than 39,260 Iowa seniors reaching the prescription drug “donut hole” would pay an average of $996 more in prescription drug costs in 2014 and approximately $16,000 more between 2014 and 2022 than under current law. [CMS, 2/17/13; HHS, 9/17/12; CMS, 4/2/12]

414,618 Iowa seniors would be forced to pay for preventive health services. By repealing health reform, the Republican plan will require that the 414,618 Iowa seniors who utilized free preventive services currently covered by Medicare in 2012, be required to pay deductibles, co-insurance, and copayments for certain services, including cancer screenings and annual wellness visits. [CMS, 2/17/13; HHS, 9/17/12; CMS, 4/2/12]

Republican budget slashes $4.30 billion in health care for Iowa seniors, eliminating nursing home care. The Republican budget slashes $4.30 billion in nursing home care and other health care services for seniors and the disabled. Over 119,700 Iowa seniors and disabled currently rely on Medicaid for their long-term care needs. The draconian cuts included in the Republican budget could have a devastating impact on the 25,200 certified nursing homes in Iowa that serve 25,200 seniors and disabled, with more than half relying on Medicaid as their primary payer. As a result, nursing homes would be forced to slash services, turn away seniors, or close their doors. [KFF, 6/12; KFF, accessed on 3/10/13; KFF, accessed on 3/10/13]

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