PERLMUTTER VOTES TO KEEP MEDICARE COSTS DOWN

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter joined a majority of the House in voting to protect seniors and cash-strapped states from an increase in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums.

“It’s vital we fulfill the promise to protect our seniors during these tough economic times,” Perlmutter said. “This legislation will ensure seniors have more money in their pockets while preserving the benefits they earned.”

The Medicare Premium Fairness Act will extend the “hold harmless” policy to protect Medicare recipients from an unfair increase in their premiums.

This legislation will also be budget neutral by meeting all PAY-GO requirements by drawing $2.8 billion from the Medicare Improvement Fund for Medicare Part A and B.

Without this legislation, new Medicare enrollees and low-income seniors would see an increase in their monthly premiums by almost $25 and a cut in their Social Security checks.

“A hike on these premiums would directly threaten the pocketbooks of 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as state budgets, which cover premiums for 7 million low-income seniors. There is no reason this burden should fall on seniors and people with disabilities, especially during difficult economic times,” stated Perlmutter.