INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and#8212;-Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced savings for thousands of Nevada seniors in Washoe County who fell into the prescription drug and#8220;donut hole.and#8221;

In Washoe County alone, 3,689 seniors saved $2,045,044 in 2011 thanks to health insurance reform for an average of $554 per senior. Statewide, health insurance reform enabled 22,193 Nevada residents with Medicare to save $12,274,764 on prescription drugs in 2011.

and#8220;Health insurance reform is putting money back into the pockets of Nevada seniors by reducing what they spend on prescription drugs and providing free preventive services,and#8221; said Reid. and#8220;I am glad to see seniors in Washoe County take advantage of these services that save money and lower long-term health care costs.and#8221;

More seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare have seen significantly lower costs for critical health care and#8212; through both discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D and#8220;donut holeand#8221; coverage gap and free preventive care.

In 2011, about 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries across the country received discounts on prescription drugs which amounted to more than $2.1 billion in savings. Savings will be even higher in the coming years as the health insurance reform law completely phases out the Medicare prescription drug and#8220;donut holeand#8221; by 2014. By 2021, it is projected the average Medicare beneficiary will save nearly $4,200 over a 10-year period.