Policy letters and testimony

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act would improve health outcomes and maximize existing and future federal investments in health, food, housing, transportation, and other important drivers of health.

The lack of a cap on out-of-pocket costs is one of the biggest challenges for Part D beneficiaries. Individuals with commercial coverage have an out-of-pocket cost cap for all covered medical care. An annual out-of-pocket cost cap will bring the Part D program in line with most other types of insurance and ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to vital and life-saving medicines.

Older adults who do not get the dental, hearing, and vision services they need, or who have to delay needed treatment because of cost, are at greater risk for avoidable emergency department visits, hospitalizations, skilled nursing facility visits, falls, isolation, depression, dementia, and greater dependence on family caregivers.

The Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act would cap annual out-of-pocket costs in the Medicare Part D program and institute a mechanism to smooth these costs throughout the plan year.