[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A BETTER MEDICARE FOR SENIORS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this past Friday, I had 
the opportunity to make presentations about the improvements made to 
Medicare with medical students at the University of South Carolina 
Medical School led by Mark Versnick and with seniors in the Low 
Country, where Darren Katz of the Health Leadership Council joined me. 
I informed them that last year the Republican-led Congress passed a 
historic bill that finally provides prescription drug coverage for our 
seniors through Medicare. This was a central issue of recent campaigns, 
and Republican lawmakers and President George W. Bush have proven that 
their promises are trustworthy.
  The seniors I met with near Sun City at Hardeeville, South Carolina, 
were happy to learn that their benefits have not changed. Today's 
Medicare is better for seniors, meeting their needs while keeping costs 
sustainable. The new voluntary prescription drug benefit allows seniors 
to lead healthier lives, while preventing disease and avoiding 
unnecessary hospital visits that will keep costs down.
  I am proud of the work we have done to improve Medicare, and I look 
forward to working with my colleagues to build on this historic 
success.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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