New data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) finds that 17 million people have received free preventivecare this year, and 900,000 Medicare beneficiaries hit theprescription drug donut hole and received a 50 percent discount ontheir medication.

This data comes in the wake of the announcement that prescription drug premiums will not increase in 2012.

“The Affordable Care Act is delivering on its promise of betterhealth care for people with Medicare,” said HHS Secretary KathleenSebelius in a statement. “People with Medicare who hit the donuthole are paying less for their prescription drugs, 17 millionAmericans have received free preventive services and prescriptiondrug premiums will remain low. These are important steps that aremaking a difference in the lives of millions of Americans rightnow."

Under the Affordable Care Act, people with Medicare can receive recommended preventivebenefits and a new annual wellness visit without paying anadditional penny out of pocket.

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act is closing theprescription drug donut hole by providing increasing discounts oncovered drugs in the donut hole. In 2011, the number of people withMedicare benefiting from these improvements is growing:

• From Jan. 1, 2011 to July 2011 therewere 17, 336,421 people, or 51.5 percent, with original Medicarewho received one or more free preventive services.

• During the same time period, 1,061,780Americans with original Medicare have taken advantage of Medicare’snew Annual Wellness Visit, up from 780,000 in mid-June.

• Through the end of June, 899,000Americans with Medicare have benefited from the 50 percent discounton covered brand name drugs in the Medicare Part D donut hole — anincrease of over 420,000 individuals in the month of Junealone.

• The dollar amount of theseout-of-pocket savings on drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries hasrisen to $461 million saved through June 2011 — up from $260million through May 2011, meaning beneficiaries in the donut holesaved over $200 million in the month of June alone.

And in June, Medicare launched Share the News. Share theHealth, a campaign to raise awareness about the importance ofprevention for people with Medicare and their health careproviders. As part of the campaign, television and radio publicservice announcements are airing nationwide and regional events arebeing held around the country this summer to make sure Medicarebeneficiaries know that these services are available to them. CMShas reached out to doctors through a “Prevention Advisory,” andother health care provider-directed materials on Medscape, arespected website for continuing medical education.

“The Share the News. Share the Health. campaign ishelping make sure that all Americans are aware of the preventiveservices in Medicare that are provided at no cost to beneficiaries,if obtained from qualified and participating health careprofessionals, thanks to the Affordable Care Act,” said CMSAdministrator Donald M. Berwick, M.D. “It is critical thatAmericans know about these important services that can improvehealth and prevent chronic diseases.”