[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  ENCOURAGING ALL ELIGIBLE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO REVIEW AVAILABLE 
OPTIONS TO DETERMINE WHETHER ENROLLMENT IN A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG 
       PLAN BEST MEETS THEIR NEEDS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

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                               speech of

                           HON. STEVAN PEARCE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2006

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Gentlewoman from 
Connecticut for bringing this resolution forward today. In my district, 
almost 70,000 Medicare beneficiaries have obtained prescription drug 
coverage, which constitutes 72 percent of the number of Medicare 
beneficiaries who live there.
  My staff and I are proud to have contributed to this achievement. We 
have held numerous town hall meetings across Southern New Mexico to 
help seniors sign up for this critical new benefit. We have also 
trained others to provide this assistance--creating a multiplier effect 
regarding the amount of help that is available to our seniors. And we 
continue to urge seniors to contact our offices if they need help as 
the May 15 deadline approaches.
  Every senior should immediately check their enrollment status in 
order to ensure they are enrolled in the Medicare Part D benefit. I 
also encourage everyone who has a parent or grandparent who is eligible 
for Medicare to call them and check their status. Seniors must sign up 
before May 15 to receive the best benefits at the lowest cost.
  The phone numbers and addresses for my district offices are listed on 
my website at www.pearce.house.gov. Several additional resources also 
exist that can assist New Mexicans in choosing and enrolling in a plan. 
Medicare beneficiaries and their family members with questions about 
Medicare drug coverage can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or 
visit www.medicare.gov. They can also obtain help from local community 
organizations, pharmacists, senior centers, area agencies on aging and 
groups like AARP.
  No senior should go another day without this coverage and we in 
Congress have a responsibility to stand with them and help them get 
that coverage today.

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