Healthcare Savings to Benefit Inland Empire
TL/DR –
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has announced new measures to reduce prescription drug costs in California, particularly for the Latino community. As part of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, insulin costs will be capped at $35 for Medicare users, benefitting 108,164 Californians who use insulin. The Act also enables drug price negotiations that could save more than 830,000 California Medicare enrollees between $64 and $4,297 in out-of-pocket costs for the first ten drugs subject to price negotiations.
Groundbreaking Measures to Lower Prescription Drug Costs in California Announced
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Representative Pete Aguilar unveiled measures to decrease prescription medication costs in California, focusing especially on the Latino community’s needs.
On his “National Latino Health Tour” in the Inland Empire, Secretary Becerra highlighted the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act’s positive influence.
“Before the Inflation Reduction Act, people were rationing insulin due to high costs,” said Becerra. “Now, with Medicare, you pay no more than $35 for insulin. This ability to negotiate medicine prices is a significant milestone.”
The $35 insulin price cap will benefit 108,164 Californians on Medicare, addressing a significant need where a 10-milliliter vial of insulin can cost up to $400. “This is essential for patient care. We’ll continue lowering the healthcare cost in the Inland Empire,” stated Rep. Aguilar.
Impact on Medicare Enrollees and Latino Population
Rep. Aguilar stressed that drug negotiations will benefit over 830,000 California Medicare enrollees, saving them up to $4,297 in out-of-pocket costs for the first ten drugs negotiated.
Moreover, the Act guarantees free recommended vaccines for over 1.2 million Latinos in California enrolled in Medicare, and introduces an annual out-of-pocket cost cap of $2,000 from 2025, saving 203,210 Californians an average of $341.84.
Secretary Becerra highlighted the 53% increase in Latino enrollment in health coverage through the Affordable Care Act from 2020 to 2022, helping over 900,000 Latinos nationwide to gain health insurance.
Addressing Healthcare Issues
The press event featured a dialogue between Congressman Pete Aguilar and Secretary Becerra, discussing key concerns like the Affordable Care Act, health insurance, medication costs, and mental health. A patient named Sheila emphasized the importance of accessible, affordable insulin, underscoring the impact of these new initiatives.
With these changes, the Inland Empire and the wider Californian community anticipate a future with more affordable and accessible healthcare, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.
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