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. 

 “There is mounting evidence that the Ryan plan is bad news for our seniors,” Castor said. “Medicare allows my neighbors to retire in dignity and is a guaranteed benefit for seniors now and should be just as much a guarantee for future generations. A voucher system would be harmful to all, putting more burden on seniors to pay for their healthcare at a time many can least afford it. Seniors deserve financial stability, not increased costs.”

 We compiled data from the six congressional districts of the Tampa Bay area to show the local impact on families and individuals throughout our community:

* 914,000 seniors in the Tampa Bay area would lose the new preventive care benefits and 914,000 seniors would see premiums increase

* 68,700 Tampa Bay area residents who enter the Part D doughnut hole would see increased costs for prescription drugs

* Nursing home care would be jeopardized for 12,000 residents whose expenses are paid by Medicaid