NAMI Calls MedPAC Recommendation on Medicare Part D “Misguided” and “Dangerous”

Posted on April 15, 2016

ARLINGTON, Va., April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mary Giliberti, CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has issued a statement in response to a decision by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) earlier today to recommend to Congress adverse changes in cost-sharing provisions for low-income persons under Medicare Part D.

"We are disappointed that MedPAC has chosen to move forward with harmful proposed changes to cost-sharing for low income subsidy beneficiaries and protections for anti-depressant medications in Medicare Part D. 

"Over 250 groups recently spoke out against these misguided policies since they will put some of the most vulnerable Medicare recipients at serious risk by limiting access to needed medications. 

Additionally, these reforms set the dangerous precedent of targeting low-income individuals to achieve cost-savings and do so to the detriment of people living with mental health conditions.

"It is now up to Congress to oppose these recommendations and prioritize reforms that appropriately focus on the well-being of Medicare recipients as a metric of success."

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

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