[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        MEDICARE CHANGES ENCOURAGE LIFE-SAVING PREVENTATIVE CARE

  (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. Mr. Speaker, last year President Bush 
signed into law historic bipartisan legislation that adds critically 
needed benefits to Medicare and solidifies the program for future 
generations.
  I have been traveling throughout the Second District of South 
Carolina to discuss these changes, and the seniors I talk to are 
enthusiastic to learn that for the first time Medicare will encourage 
preventative care.
  First and foremost, the new prescription drug benefit will allow 
seniors to afford the medicine they need to prevent disease.
  Yet, while the prescription drug benefit has been widely publicized, 
many seniors are unaware of other important preventative measures now 
available to them. All newly enrolled beneficiaries will be covered for 
physicals, cardiovascular-screening blood tests including cholesterol, 
and diabetes screening for at-risk beneficiaries. These benefits do not 
have deductibles or co-pays, to make sure there are no hurdles for 
seniors with limited resources.
  These screenings will catch treatable, manageable conditions that 
otherwise would result in senior health consequences, preventing a 
healthy and happy retirement.
  In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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