[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                MEDICARE

  (Mr. BLUNT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, like many other Members who voted for the 
addition of prescription drugs to Medicare and Medicare reform on both 
sides of the aisle, I have been out in my district talking to people 
about this first significant change in Medicare in 38 years. What I am 
finding is a tremendous reception to the changes we have made:
  The prescription drug card that will be available in June where 
people can call in and find out, based on the medicines they take, 
which card is best for them; the significant assistance to low-income 
seniors who not only get that card for free but also get $600 of credit 
on that card; and as we move into the full Medicare program in 2006, 
get their premiums paid if they choose to get their premiums paid. But, 
of course, as you are dealing with seniors and many of us who are not 
all that comfortable with change, the most important thing you can say 
is, You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but you can 
look at these new options and see if these options are better for you 
than what you've got. If they aren't better for you than what you've 
got or you just don't want to change, you don't have to.
  The addition of prescription drugs to Medicare brings Medicare in 
line with medicine. It is about time, Mr. Speaker. I am glad we did it.

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