Sen. Carper highlights legislation introduced to lower prescription drug costs for seniors

MILFORD, Del. – Senator Tom Carper joined representatives from Delaware’s PAC Programs on Friday to highlight bipartisan legislation that he introduced to lower prescription drug prices for seniors with chronic illnesses.

Last month, Senators Carper and Bill Cassidy introduced the PACE Part D Choice Art, which will allow older Americans enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to choose which Medicare Part D plan for prescription drugs will work best for them to lower overall costs. Specifically, the legislation will save Medicare-only PACE participants an average of $1,057 a month on life-saving prescription drugs.

PACE is a comprehensive, provider-based health plan with a proven track record of high-quality care for people with chronic illnesses and functional disabilities. PACE serves over 62,000 older Americans who have complex, chronic medical conditions and need long-term services and supports. Less than 1 percent of these participants have Medicare-only coverage. Currently participants must use the prescription plan that has an average monthly premium of $1,100, however, this legislation will allow PACE participants to choose between the existing PACE Part D plan or a stand-alone Part D plan, which instead has a monthly average premium of $43, which saves individuals an average of $1,057 a month on prescription drugs. By allowing Part D plan choice, Congress would be able to increase affordability and access to PACE for Medicare-only participants and for future Medicare beneficiaries.

“PACE participants up and down the First State are dealing with rising prescription drug costs every time they need a refill for their life-saving medications. That’s why I made it a priority to introduce the PACE Part D Choice Act this year—legislation that will allow Medicare-only PACE participants to have a choice when it comes to their prescription drug plan,” said Carper. “I was glad to join PACE representatives in Milford today to discuss challenges facing PACE participants, and discuss solutions, like my legislation, to help lower overall costs.”