The Inflation Reduction Act caps out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 per year for those on Medicare Part D. Americans such as David Ulfers need those caps to afford life-sustaining medications.
David Ulfers is pictured in August 2022. (Photo credit: David Ulfers)
On his 40th birthday, David was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Now 45, David uses his story to advocate for the MS community as a district activist leader with the National MS Society. When he left the workforce in 2017 due to his disability, he still had access to private insurance and his copays were always reimbursed by drug manufacturers. But since enrolling in Medicare this year, he cannot qualify for any programs or coupons through drug manufacturers. In July, David was shocked to see his first bill. The copay was $4,000 for a year of treatment. He looks forward to the $2,000 price cap from the Inflation Reduction Act to help him afford his pricey but necessary prescriptions.
I have started looking into enrolling in drug trials so I can hopefully get better treatment with a lower cost. I’m hoping that the trial drug will help my condition and help me avoid the $4,000 copay I have with Medicare.
David Ulfers
Read more stories on how recent legislation has benefited Americans
This collection features stories from people in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Hampshire whose lives have been improved by the legislation passed during the Biden administration’s first two years.