Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) today heralded the passage of H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, which will protect Medicare beneficiaries from a projected premium increase of up to 20% next year.

“In this economy, seniors and persons with disabilities who rely on Medicare Part B are already having enough trouble making ends meet,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Now is not the time to raise these premiums, not when so many people are struggling.”

Forty two million seniors and persons with disabilities take part in Medicare Part B. The standard Part B premium for 2009 is $96.40 per-month. It is estimated that beneficiary premiums would rise to $110 to $120 absent today’s congressional action. Under current law, the premium is calculated each year to cover approximately 25 percent of the cost of the Medicare program.

The bill has been endorsed by the AARP, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), Alliance for Retired Americans, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association.