Access to quality health care is worth fighting for. My Democratic colleagues and I have worked hard to negotiate with the Republican majority in Congress since the beginning of the year, but they slashed funding for health care and have refused to extend health care tax credits to families and individuals who need them to afford health coverage.
I voted against these cuts. But the Republicans have the majority in the House, Senate and the White House, and can pass any bill they want. Instead, they’ve chosen to shut down our federal government rather than work to save health care for millions of Americans. I’m fighting to save Medicare and make it even better.
Each fall, seniors have an opportunity to change their Medicare plans from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. With open enrollment right around the corner, I want to share helpful information on the program and an update on legislation I helped pass to save you money.
In 2022, Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark bill that reduced the federal deficit, invested in clean energy, and lowered healthcare costs – especially for seniors.
Black Americans make up 10 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare plays an essential role in helping Black health and wealth, and these reforms are already making a difference.
Plus, these Inflation Reduction Act changes have been made with NO increase in average Part D premium costs. Average premium costs for both Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans will actually decrease in 2026.
Here’s how the Inflation Reduction Act helps lower costs – and what it means for Black Seniors.
Free vaccines and insulin at $35 a month
The Inflation Reduction Act set $0 for out-of-pocket costs for common vaccines under Part D and capped the monthly insulin copay cost at $35. Black Americans are nearly twice as likely as white Americans to be diagnosed with diabetes and face higher rates of complications like amputations and kidney failure.
The cap on insulin costs is a lifesaving change for many. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Black Americans are over 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes, largely due to poor access and affordability of treatment.
Now, with more affordable insulin and vaccines like shingles and pneumonia available at no cost, Black Medicare enrollees can better manage their health and avoid preventable illness. This benefit is available to all Part D enrollees, including those with Extra Help.
Closing the donut hole
For years, the Medicare Part D “donut hole” meant that seniors faced out-of-pocket costs of thousands of dollars once they reached a certain threshold in medication spending. Black seniors are more likely to skip medications due to costs.
Closing this gap ensures better continuity of care and fewer skipped prescriptions. Ending the “donut hole” helps reduce health disparities by making necessary medications more consistently affordable.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
The Inflation Reduction Act also set a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs under Part D and established a new way to spread out your out-of-pocket costs. This is known as the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
How does it work? Instead of paying high costs up front, beneficiaries can now spread costs across 12 months with a monthly plan. For example, instead of paying $2,000 on drugs each year, you would pay $166.67 each month.
Black seniors with chronic conditions – like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease – often need multiple prescriptions. This helps seniors on fixed incomes budget more easily and afford all the prescriptions they need.
Black seniors are also more likely to live on limited retirement income. This new payment option can help stabilize monthly healthcare expenses.
All plans offer this payment option, but participation is voluntary – you must re-enroll in it every year to take advantage of it. Learn more at medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan.
Lower drug prices
For the first time, Medicare can finally negotiate prices directly with drug companies, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act – a long-overdue reform that will bring down the price of essential medications. Lower prices mean better access and fewer trade-offs between medicine and basic needs like rent, utilities, or food. The negotiated prices begin in 2026 for drugs like Eliquis, Januvia, and NovoLog – used to treat conditions that disproportionately affect Black seniors, including diabetes and heart disease.
Further negotiations on all 15 drugs covered by Medicare Part D are taking place this year, with any new prices to become effective in 2027. These changes will save seniors and taxpayers money while cutting wasteful spending.
As your representative in Congress, I’m committed to further reducing Medicare costs and making healthcare more affordable for all. I’m also committed to supporting the public servants who bring health benefits and services to Medicare enrollees, including those who may be furloughed at this time.
For more information on navigating 2025 Medicare Open Enrollment, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers unbiased, free, individualized counseling to people with Medicare on a volunteer basis. They have six locations in Indianapolis and can be reached at (800) 452-4800 during normal operations.
