Rep. Sykes Hosts “Call With Your Congresswoman” To Discuss Lowering Healthcare Costs For Seniors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a “Call With Your Congresswoman” to discuss Lowering Healthcare Costs for Seniors. During the call, Rep. Sykes outlined her actions to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare for seniors and families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“Every person in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare whenever they need it. But I know too many seniors and families in our district lay awake each night, worrying about what will happen if they get sick. In Congress, I’m working every day to lower the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance, expand access to Medicaid, Medicare, and other life-saving healthcare, and make our communities healthier,” said Rep. Sykes.
Rep. Sykes introduced the Mental Health Improvement Act, which would increase the number of behavioral health professionals to close gaps in mental health care that too often exist in communities throughout OH-13 and across the country. Rep. Sykes has also co-sponsored several pieces of legislation to strengthen Medicare access, including the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for innovative tests that can detect multiple types of cancer before symptoms develop, and the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act to ensure low-income patients in underserved communities across the nation can access quality healthcare providers.
Rep. Sykes was joined by a representative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who gave a presentation about how the Inflation Reduction Act provides meaningful financial relief to millions of Americans by improving access to affordable treatments and strengthening Medicare.
The Inflation Reduction Act:
- Takes on special interests to cap the cost of insulin to just $35, which means 5,500 Medicare beneficiaries living in the district who use insulin will save an average of $480 each year;
- Empowers Medicare for the first time ever to negotiate prescription drug prices, lowering the cost of common prescription drugs for seniors; and
- Makes health care coverage more affordable for the estimated 20,000 people in Ohio-13 who are signed up for a plan through healthcare.gov, saving the average enrollee $900 in premiums this year.