House Republican leaders have pledged to vote before President Obama’s State of the Union address later this month on a bill to repeal a health care reform law that includes prescription drug benefits for seniors. Senate leaders on Monday urged Rep. John Boehner, who is in line to be the next House speaker, to reconsider repealing the law that closes the coverage gap or doughnut hole in prescription drug coverage under Medicare.  The Senate leaders warned they would block any health care repeal effort that would undo the provision, which took effect on Saturday, that is projected to help 3.4 million seniors save thousands of dollars annually on prescription drug costs.

Senate leaders warned that undoing the law also would jeopardize popular consumer protections, including some that are just now taking effect.

"We urge you to consider the unintended consequences that the law’s repeal would have on a number of popular consumer protections that help middle class Americans,” the senators wrote. “The doughnut hole fix is just one measure that would be threatened by a repeal effort. Taking this benefit away from seniors would be irresponsible and reckless at a time when it is becoming harder and harder for seniors to afford a healthy retirement.” The letter was sent by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin, Vice Chairman Charles E. Schumer, Conference Secretary Patty Murray and Democratic Policy Committee Vice Chair Debbie Stabenow.

Under a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that took effect on Saturday, seniors who get stuck in the doughnut hole will see the costs of their brand-name drugs discounted by 50 percent. This means seniors who with high prescription medicine costs could save as much as $12,300 over the next 10 years and seniors with low drug costs will save an average of $2,400 over 10 years.