WASHINGTON — A new report out from AARP today provides additional insight into the impact of a historic new financial protection for our nation’s nearly 55 million Medicare drug plan enrollees. For the first time ever, beginning January 1, 2025, Medicare drug plans will limit enrollees’ annual out-of-pocket spending to $2,000, thanks to a provision in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that AARP championed. Specifically, the report shows that 94% of all Part D enrollees expected to reach the new cap in 2025 will have lower total (i.e., premiums and cost sharing) out-of-pocket costs, saving an average of $2,474 nationally. The report also provides state-level data and estimates that 95% of Part D enrollees who will reach the out-of-pocket cap will have lower out-of-pocket health costs in 33 states plus the District of Columbia.

The first issue of AARP Bulletin in 2025 examines the physician shortage crisis and what it means for older adults. Additionally, this month’s issue provides insights on how to handle data breaches, tips for traveling with a medical device, a spotlight on the work of ombudsmen in nursing homes, and a message to our members from new AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan.

List prices for the 25 top Medicare Part D drugs not currently selected for Medicare drug price negotiation have increased by an average of 98 percent—or nearly doubled—since they first entered the market, according to a new report from AARP’s Public Policy Institute released today. The report also found that, on average, more than 40 percent of the current list prices for the top 25 drugs is due to price increases that have occurred after the products first entered the market. These findings highlight the importance of a 2022 law that addresses high prescription drug prices and drug price increases.

Due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and in consideration of the families and communities impacted, we will postpone AARP’s Annual Movies for Grownups Awards originally scheduled to take place Saturday, January 11, 2025 in Beverly Hills. We extend our sympathies to all who are affected. AARP will provide a new date and time for the awards as soon as possible.

Beginning today through March 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, AARP invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant program. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its ninth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.