Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement regarding the House of Representatives’ passage today of legislation to protect seniors from increases in Medicare premiums. Castor co-sponsored this critical legislation.

“The Medicare Premium Fairness Act ensures that millions of seniors will not see increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. The Act is intended to alleviate the unfair financial burden on many older Floridians at a time when so many are stretching their budgets to pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs and other basic necessities.

“Under existing law, many Medicare enrollees would have seen steep increases in the price of their premiums, from about $96.40 a month to, in some cases, as much as $120 a month. Our freeze in premiums for millions of seniors on fixed incomes is vital because times are tough for so many and a quirk in the law has one-quarter of Medicare enrollees shouldering an unfair increase.

“I am proud to stand up for older Americans along with the AARP, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.”

Approximately 3 million Floridians are on Medicare. Without this legislation, seniors who would have faced higher premiums include low-income individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and new Medicare Part B enrollees.