[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H979-H980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       POLL BRINGS POSITIVE NEWS

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, a poll was released today which reaffirms 
what many on this side of the aisle, Republicans, are telling seniors 
at our town hall meetings: The Medicare prescription drug program is 
working.
  In a poll conducted last week by Ayres, McHenry & Associates, 6 out 
of 10 seniors who voluntarily enrolled in the Medicare Part D program 
reported that they are saving money in the program.
  A second survey by the same group found that 9 out of 10 seniors 
eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, dual eligibles, stated that they 
were having no

[[Page H980]]

problems using the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Eighty 
percent said the program covered the prescription drugs that they need.
  Now, you are not going to hear this good news from the Democrats on 
that side of the aisle. Seniors are saving money and now have more 
choices than they ever have had.
  Mr. Speaker, this is good news from these polls. The Medicare 
prescription drug program is presently working for America's seniors, 
and Democrats need to accept that.

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