Sen. Kelly Delivers on Commitment to Lower Health Care Costs for Arizona Seniors

Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), now law, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is delivering on his commitment to making health care more affordable and accessible for Arizona seniors. Kelly, a member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, successfully secured his plan to lower prescription drug costs in the IRA which will lower drug costs for Arizona seniors starting in 2023. Arizona seniors will also see additional cost-saving provisions take effect starting next year thanks to Kelly’s work.

Here is how the Kelly-shaped law will make sure Arizona seniors can stay healthy while ensuring they keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. 

Affordable Insulin: Starting in 2023, the Kelly-shaped Inflation Reduction Act will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Medicare Part D beneficiaries at no more than $35 a month. More than 33,500 Arizonans are estimated to see lower insulin costs thanks to Kelly’s work to deliver on his commitment. 

Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices: Kelly’s plan, now law, allows Medicare to negotiate the price of some of the most expensive prescription drugs. While the VA and private insurers are able to negotiate directly with drug companies to get lower prices, Medicare has never been able to use its buying power in this way. This will bring down prescription drug costs for Arizona seniors and people with disabilities. 

Free Vaccines: Starting in 2023, Kelly’s plan, as part of the IRA, will make covered vaccines, such as for shingles, free for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The Kelly-shaped law will benefit an estimated88,500 Arizonans. 

Hold Drug Companies Accountable: The IRA, which includes Kelly’s plan to lower prescription drug costs, also requires drug companies to pay Medicare a rebate if they increase drug prices for beneficiaries faster than inflation. Thanks to Kelly’s work, this provision will result in billions more in savings for the federal government and will lower out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries starting in 2023.

Caps Out-Of-Pocket Costs: The Kelly-shaped law will cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare Part D at no more than $2,000 a year and allow costs to be spread out over the year starting in 2025. Thanks to Kelly’s work, the IRA will bring peace of mind to an estimated 32,300 Arizonans who will exceed this annual limit.