Jane Pringle: Medicare Savings Program expansion will help lower costs for older Mainers

By State Rep. Jane Pringle

Everyone wants to be able to age with dignity. But when I speak with many older constituents in our community, I often hear from people who are struggling to make ends meet. They’re worried about affording to age in their own homes, paying for groceries and keeping up with their monthly bills. One of the biggest concerns I hear from folks is about the high prices of the medication they need.

State Rep. Jane Pringle

In the Legislature, we’ve made it a priority to do everything we can to provide relief and lower these costs. This included passing legislation to expand eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which helps older people with lower incomes pay for some or all of their out-of-pocket costs for Medicare premiums, deductibles and copayments. It can also pay for the Part B premium, which is usually deducted from Social Security – putting real money back into people’s pockets.

This expansion is expected to affect more than 45,000 Mainers. While the amount of the benefit varies depending on the individual, it typically averages around $7,300 – which has the potential to be a lifeline that provides substantial relief. It won’t solve all of the concerns about costs, but it can hopefully help alleviate some of the anxiety that some older people are experiencing.

Making these changes to MSP was more than just good policy – it was simply the right thing to do. To learn more, you can reach all of the local Area Agencies on Aging by calling 1-877-elders-1 or 1-877-353-3771.

State Rep. Jane Pringle is serving her second, non-consecutive term in the Maine House and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services. <

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

On behalf of our 230,000 members, AARP Maine thanks Congressman Jared Golden for participating in our recent tele-town hall on prescription drug costs.  Nearly 3,500 Mainers participated in the forum and many asked questions of Congressman Golden live during the call.

Much of the discussion focused on the latest news from Washington, including two bills which will likely be voted on soon.

Currently under consideration in the House of Representatives is HR 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019. Under HR 3, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would negotiate prices for at least 25 of the most expensive brand-name medicines. The bill would also cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 per year. In addition AARP is pushing for other improvements to Medicare such as coverage for dental, vision and hearing care. 

In the Senate, we urge Senate leadership to bring the bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 to a floor vote this year.  The bill would cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and require drug manufacturers to provide a rebate to Medicare if the prices of their products increase faster than inflation.

AARP Maine is committed to working with our federal lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs. Too many Mainers of all ages struggle to afford the medications they need to stay healthy, and to even stay alive. It shouldn't be that way. We cannot wait any longer for this to change and urge our elected leaders to pass these bills.

Patricia Pinto

AARP Maine Volunteer State President