National Medical Association Applauds President Obama's and Senator Baucus's Efforts to Work With PhRMA to Bring Down Health Care Costs and Advance Meaningf...( WASHINGTON June 23 -- The N...),Health

WASHINGTON, June 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Medical Association (NMA) congratulates President Obama and the Senate Finance Chair, Max Baucus (D-MT) on their work with PhRMA to bring down health care costs and increase access to medicines.

"While the adoption of Medicare Part D has been a tremendous success for seniors, there were some problematic coverage gaps in the system," said Dr. Mohammad N. Akhter, Executive Director of the National Medical Association. "Under this announcement, Medicare beneficiaries will receive 50 percent discount on brand name medicines. This will result in an average $1,700 reduction in the out-of-pocket costs of more than 3.5 million seniors."

"This historic step forward gives health care reform the much needed momentum that it needs so that meaningful legislation will be realized this year," said Dr. Carolyn Barley Britton, President of the National Medical Association. "The NMA has long been concerned about the so-called 'doughnut hole' in the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit. Hopefully, this commitment from PhRMA will encourage more seniors to follow their prescribed regimens," she added.

Founded in 1895, the National Medical Association is the nation's oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of more than 30,000 African-American physicians and their patients. The NMA repeatedly advocates for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people.