More Donut Hole Checks to Be Delivered, Unemployment Benefits Blocked in the Senate -- July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

Dear Friend,

Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week's Carson Courier:

• Second Round of Medicare Checks Being Sent to Seniors

• Senate Fails to Act on Unemployment Extension

Second Round of Medicare Checks Issued to Seniors

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin mailing the second round of $250 checks to senior citizens who have fallen into Medicare's prescription drug coverage gap known as the "donut hole." This rebate is part of the landmark health care reform bill signed into law this year.

All across Indiana, seniors impacted by the Medicare donut hole are often forced to choose between paying for their medications and meeting their basic living expenses. Last year, over 81,000 Hoosiers fell into the donut hole and were forced to pay for 100 percent of the cost of their prescriptions. These checks will help more than 300,000 eligible seniors better afford their prescription drugs until a complete closure of the donut hole is phased in over the next few years. Every dollar counts for seniors living on fixed incomes and I will continue to support efforts to drive down the costs of health care for seniors.

Always remember if someone not affiliated with Medicare asks for your personal Medicare information over the phone, do NOT provide it. Seniors or family members should contact us at 1-800-MEDICARE to report any of these types of calls. To learn more about efforts to fight fraud and scams against seniors, please visit www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

Senate Fails to Act on Unemployment Extension

Before the July 4th recess, the House was able to move forward in helping thousands of unemployed Hoosiers retain their economic lifeline by approving an extension of unemployment benefits. We've seen positive signs pointing to an economic turnaround, but we remain at a critical point in this recovery and extending these benefits will be one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy. I am disappointed that Republicans in the Senate have continued to put partisan posturing before the needs of struggling families. While many Hoosiers expected the Senate to act before leaving on recess, it is my hope that upon returning next week the Senate will move quickly to extend these benefits.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov and my new Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District in Congress.

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More Donut Hole Checks to Be Delivered, Unemployment Benefits Blocked in the Senate -- July 9, 2010