Q: My prescription drug spending will push me into the donut hole this year. What relief will I get?

Health reform protects Medicare. Medicare will be made more financially secure and seniors who hit the prescription drug "donut hole" will be protected from high costs for their medicines.

Q: My prescription drug spending will push me into the donut hole this year. What relief will I get?

A: Seniors who hit the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the donut hole will be provided with a $250 rebate in 2010.

Beginning in 2011, seniors in the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs. In addition, the Medicare share of costs will increase so that the donut hole will be completely closed in 2020.