Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel marked the 48th anniversary of the enactment of Medicare. President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965.

“Today we are reminded of how critical Medicare has been to millions of South Floridians and Americans everywhere. Our seniors have spent their lives working hard for their benefits and we must continue to protect and strengthen Medicare, while at the same time cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse,” said Frankel, who represents about 140,000 seniors.

Frankel highlighted that the Affordable Care Act is improving Medicare by reducing prescription drug costs for seniors and helping to stop fraud.  Since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, people with Medicare in Florida have saved $464 million on prescription drugs.  In 2012 alone, 237,344 individuals in Florida saved over $161 million, or an average of $678 per beneficiary.  In addition, last year, more than 1.8 million Floridians with traditional Medicare achieved savings by using one or more free preventive services.

The health care law is helping stop fraud with tougher screening procedures, stronger penalties and new technology. For every dollar spent on health-care related fraud and abuse prevention in the last three years the administration has returned $7.90.

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