[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             THE BENEFITS OF MEDICARE'S NEW DRUG PROVISIONS

  (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, for too long seniors have been paying 
extraordinary high prescription drug costs with no relief measures in 
sight. But thanks to the recently signed Medicare and Prescription Drug 
Improvement and Modernization Act, Medicare will now provide drug cards 
to all seniors who need them at a cost ranging from a $30 maximum each 
year to free.
  These cards, even for those who would get them for free, are 
completely voluntary. They will be made available to seniors beginning 
June 1 of this year. Low-income seniors will have a $600 annual credit 
on their card. Seniors can sign up for a Medicare-endorsed discount 
card as early as May 3.
  Seniors are encouraged to find out what card is best for them by 
calling 1-800-MEDICARE and asking about drug savings. Seniors and their 
families can visit www.medicare.gov to find out more about which card 
is best for them where they live.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all seniors and people who care about them 
to inquire about enrollment, to see if this is a better plan for them, 
and to begin immediately saving on their drug costs.

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