[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1630
  NEW MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM A SUCCESS IN FLORIDA

  (Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read a 
letter that was in today's St. Petersburg Times about the Medicare 
prescription drug plan. It was from a gentlewoman by the name of Lois 
Scheff of St. Petersburg, not in my district; but I think she echoes 
the comments that I have heard from my constituents. The letter says, 
``It would be nice to see a positive article about the Medicare part D 
prescription drug plan. I believe the reason so many people are having 
trouble with the new prescription drug plan is that the media has been 
telling everyone how confusing and difficult it is to understand. If 
you say something often enough, people will start to believe it.''

  She goes on to say, ``My experience with the new prescription drug 
plan has been very positive. Upon filling four of my January 
prescriptions, I paid about 50 percent of what I normally would have, 
due to certain deductibles. In February, my four prescriptions cost me 
less than one would have before the drug plan went into effect. The 
other day I filled a prescription that used to cost more than $100, and 
I paid 30 for it.''
  She goes on to say, ``We might be elderly, but we are not stupid. 
Talk to the millions of us who have taken advantage of the program.''

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