[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MEDICARE PART D

  (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, next week, on November 15, senior citizens 
across America will have the opportunity to sign up for a benefit that 
is long overdue, and that is prescription drug coverage.
  The initial sign-up date for Medicare part D runs from November 15, 
2005, through May 15, 2006. Coverage starts January 1, 2006, so the 
sooner seniors sign up, the sooner they can start saving.
  Here is what seniors should know about Medicare part D. It is 
available to all Medicare beneficiaries. The benefit is voluntary, so 
seniors will need to choose to sign up. They will have a choice of 
plans with a low monthly premium, and all Medicare-approved plans will 
cover both generic and brand-name prescription drugs and will be 
accepted at pharmacies close to home.
  There are several ways seniors can sign up for Medicare part D. Watch 
the mail for information from Social Security and Medicare; call 1-800-
Medicare, where trained staff can answer questions and help you sign up 
7 days a week, 24 hours a day; or visit the Web site www.medicare.gov.
  If our seniors have access to affordable prescription drugs, they 
will reap the benefits of modern medicine and live healthier lives.

                          ____________________