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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 28 september 2022
Millions of Americans will save on Medicare fees next year

WASHINGTON (AP) — For counts in recent weeks.
the first time in a decade, Republicans have a differ-
Americans will pay less next ent slant on the subject.
year on monthly premiums "Desperation is setting in
for Medicare's Part B plan, at the White House," the
which covers routine doc- Republican National Com-
tors' visits and other outpa- mittee said in response
tient care. to Biden's speech Tues-
The rare 3% decrease in day. "Voters have a clear
monthly premiums is likely choice in the midterms as
to be coupled with a his- they know Biden and the
torically high cost-of-living Democrats sent costs for
increase in Social Security groceries soaring, created
benefits — perhaps 9% or a recession and increased
10% — putting hundreds taxes."
of dollars directly into the The lower Medicare premi-
pockets of millions of peo- ums were announced as
ple. 66 million Americans await
"That's something we may the announcement of next
never see again in the rest year's Social Security cost-
of our lives," said Mary John- of-living increase for 2023.
son, the Social Security and Analysts estimate that it
Medicare policy analyst for President Joe Biden walks with Bob Parant, Medicare beneficiary with Type 1 diabetes, as they could be historic, roughly
arrive to speak at an event on health care costs, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday,
The Senior Citizens League. Sept. 27, 2022, in Washington. between 9% and 10%. The
"That can really be used Associated Press exact amount will be an-
to pay off credit cards, to nounced next month.q
restock pantries that have The Associated Press' ques-
gotten low because peo- tions for details on those
ple can't afford to buy as savings.
much today as they did President Joe Biden lauded
a year ago and do some the lower Medicare premi-
long-postponed repairs to ums during a Rose Garden
homes and cars." speech Tuesday.
The 2023 decrease in As the midterm elections
monthly Medicare premi- near and Biden's adminis-
ums comes after millions tration struggles to contain
of beneficiaries endured a the painful side effects of
tough year of high inflation inflation, the White House
and a dramatic increase has increasingly trumpeted
to premiums this year. its work around curtailing
Most people on Medicare health care costs.
will pay $164.90 a month "(To) millions of seniors and
for Part B coverage start- people with disabilities
ing next year, a savings of on Medicare, that means
$5.20.. more money in their pock-
The decrease helps to off- ets while still getting the
set last year's $21.60 spike, care they need," Biden
which was driven in large said.
part by a new Alzheimer's Biden pointed to more
drug, Aduhelm, adminis- cost savings on the way for
tered intravenously in doc- some Medicare recipients
tors' offices and introduced starting next year thanks to
to the market last year with the Inflation Reduction Act,
a $56,000 price tag. Medi- which will require Medicare
care set strict limitations on to cover the cost of rec-
the drug's use earlier this ommended vaccines for
year and the drugmaker older Americans and will
has since cut the medica- cap monthly insulin copay-
tion's cost in half. ments at $35 per month.
Medicare paid less for that Other provisions in the leg-
drug than it expected this islation, including a rule
year, helping shore up re- that allows Medicare to ne-
serves that allowed the gotiate directly with drug
agency to set the Part B companies on the price of
premiums lower for 2023, some medications, will take
the Centers for Medicaid a few years to kick in.
and Medicare said in a The bill received no support
statement Tuesday. Other from congressional Repub-
Medicare services and licans, a talking point the
items were lower than ex- White House has frequently
pected, too, but Medicare pushed in speeches and
officials did not respond to across its social media ac-