Nearly 200,000 Florida seniors and people with disabilities have saved more than $338 million on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also show that in 2012, almost 200,000 beneficiaries in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “doughnut hole” have saved an average of $658. Read more »

Nearly 1 million seniors in the Tampa Bay area would be forced to pay more for their health care premiums and would see a reduction in preventive care services if Congress implements Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said today, citing new data from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. House Republicans already have voted for the Ryan budget, which severely cuts Medicare and Medicaid. Under the plan, Floridians age 54 and younger would be given vouchers or coupons to cover their health care costs from a private insurance company. Read more »

“House Republicans should join us in taking action on jobs instead of wasting enormous amounts of time on another health care debate. Instead of working to create jobs or strengthen the middle class, the GOP appears fixated on having the same debate over the Affordable Care Act. The House has now voted on health care at least 30 times this session. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today two grants awarded to the University of South Florida through the Affordable Care Act. The money will lead to jobs and scholarships at the university. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who served on the primary committee that authored the Affordable Care Act and who crafted provisions to benefit Floridians, released the following statement regarding the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the Act: Read more »

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, we are holding insurance companies accountable. Insurance companies are required to put patients over profits and spend at least 80 percent of premiums on health care. Read more »

"The Affordable Care Act has been in effect under the law notwithstanding Gov. Scott’s personal view. Read more »

In 2009, Tampa surgeon Dr. Sharona Ross launched the Women in Surgery initiative at the University of South Florida. Ross was troubled that so few bright, motivated female medical school students chose surgery as their specialty area. She is committed to turning that around. Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor proposed an amendment to the Republican Budget to protect Medicare benefits for seniors. Castor sought to preserve improvements in Medicare benefits that have been in place for two years under the Affordable Care Act, including closure of the prescription drug coverage gap (donut hole), coverage of key preventive services and annual wellness visits with no co-pays or deductibles. Read more »

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor urged Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature to reconsider their refusal of $438.5 million to broaden access to care to pediatricians, family physicians and primary care doctors for Florida families. Read more »