[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27635]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN SAVES SENIORS MONEY

  (Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, Connecticut seniors are 
signing up for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, and many are 
saving hundreds and thousands of dollars.
  The CHOICES bus visited the senior citizens center in Plainville, 
Connecticut, and Thomas and Margaret Bernatchy spoke with a trained 
counselor. Mrs. Bernatchy takes many drugs, and it costs the couple 
$7,000 a year. After discussing their needs with the trained counselor, 
Mr. Bernatchy signed himself and his wife up, and they will save $5,000 
a year.
  Mrs. Anita Willequer who also lives in Plainville was attending 
exercise classes at the senior center and decided to pop in on the 
Medicare CHOICES counseling session. She spends only $55 a month on 
drugs, but she will save $500 a year. ``This is a tremendous savings,'' 
she said. ``I was glad I asked about it. I hope it helps a lot of 
people.''
  With each passing day, more and more seniors are talking with 
Medicare-trained advisors, getting their questions answered, signing up 
for savings. Help your seniors sign up for savings.

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