"Administration ready to send first ‘doughnut hole’ checks to seniors"

[Clio the Leo]

Administration ready to send first ‘doughnut hole’ checks to seniors
By Julian Pecquet - 05/27/10 07:36 PM ET

The Obama administration on Thursday announced it is about to mail out the first rebate checks to help seniors on Medicare pay for their prescription drugs.

The announcement marks the latest example of ongoing efforts to persuade the public, and particularly seniors, of the new healthcare law’s benefits. Seniors disproportionately dislike the new law, and they’re also the group that’s most likely to vote in this year’s midterm elections.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the federal government would start sending out the first $250 rebate checks on June 10 to Medicare beneficiaries caught by the so-called “doughnut hole.”
The term refers to a gap in coverage for Medicare recipients. About 8 million seniors a year reach the “doughnut hole” threshold where they have to pay the full amount for their medications.

The new healthcare law closes that gap over time so that seniors only have to pay a fraction of the full cost of their drugs. A little more than 4 million Americans are expected to get rebate checks this year.

The checks are being mailed out earlier than originally called for under the health reform law. Administration officials said 80,000 checks would be sent.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/100371-obama-administration-ready-to-send-first-doughnut-hole-checks-to-seniors

[WeDidIt]

1. And seniors are most likely to vote in mid term elections

Excellent. This will dissuade the fears of many seniors.

[Dr Morbius]

3. I wish I could agree.

$250 helps, yes, but the donut hole is a LOT bigger than that. I worry some seniors will feel like Obama is trying to buy their vote cheap.

[stevenleser]

4. Donut hole is progressively closed between now and 2016. n/t

[NJmaverick]

2. K & R!

[appleannie1]

5. Hubby and I both fall into the donut hole each year. $250 will not cover all, we will be glad to

get it. Every little bit helps.

[Divine Discontent]

6. hope it helps 80,000 out in a tough economy.

[totodeinhere]

7. Self delete