HARRISONBURG, Va. –  Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” van tour arrived in Harrisonburg Monday morning to educate seniors across the nation about new cost-saving benefits all thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law last year by President Biden. As seniors in Virginia begin to enroll in their 2024 Medicare plans, they could save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug costs, with even more savings down the road.

During the event at Ralph Sampson Park, speakers discussed the importance of signing up for Medicare during the open enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors on Medicare are already benefitting from a $35 monthly cap on insulin and a zero-cost shingles vaccination. For those on Medicare Part D, total out-of-pocket prescription drug costs will be capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025. And in August, the Biden administration announced the first 10 drugs that will be eligible for Medicare price negotiations, which include medications for conditions such as diabetes, cancer and blood clots.  

“Health care should be affordable. Health care should be a human right. No one should have to live with making tough decisions between buying their medication and eating. That doesn’t sound real. But it is. And it is real in the United States and in Harrisonburg,” said Mayor Reed. “But thanks to legislation signed into law last year by President Biden, seniors beginning to enroll in their 2024 Medicare plans can save thousands of dollars in their prescription drug costs, with even more savings down the road.” 

“Currently, we are in the Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage Open Enrollment Period,” said Beth Bland, Executive Director of Valley Program for Aging Services, which assists seniors in enrolling for Medicare. “Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunities to review their prescription coverage plans and make changes as needed. It is very important to review your Part D Prescription Coverage during this Open Enrollment Period.” 

“I’m glad to learn that the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRA, is improving Medicare by instituting a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs beginning in 2025,” said Betty Tabony, Medicare storyteller and member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Way Coalition. “It is in the spirit of Dr. King, and the Mayor referred to this, too, to ensure that everyone has access to health care.” 

“Protect Our Care is going coast to coast to make sure every senior understands the savings they are receiving thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Katie Baker, Protect Our Care Virginia State Director. “Seniors who are tired of paying three to four times more for their prescription drugs than people in other countries will finally see change. No longer can big drug companies charge whatever they want for lifesaving medications while seniors cut pills and skip doses because of high costs. The Inflation Reduction Act put Medicare back in the driver’s seat to deliver savings to seniors.”

 Tomorrow, the “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour will continue in Roanoke, where Protect Our Care will be joined by Mayor Sherman Lea, Delegate Sam Rasoul, and representatives from the Local Office on Aging. Over three weeks, Protect Our Care will travel to more than 10 states, make more than 25 stops, and travel over 7,000 miles to educate seniors about the Inflation Reduction Act’s cost-saving benefits.