[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7668]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

  (Mrs. DRAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank our local partners in 
helping spread the word about the new prescription drug benefit. 
Southeastern Virginia Senior Services and Eastern Shore Senior Services 
have worked very diligently to sign people up and to spread 
information.
  Many of our local pharmacists, I would like to thank them as well, 
have allowed people to drop off their information and return for a list 
of the plans that cover their drugs.
  Remember, Medicare part D is a voluntary program. It is a private 
sector insurance plan with a reduced premium. Many seniors do not need 
to sign up at all because their coverage is as good or better than 
Medicare. That would include our Federal retirees, State retirees, 
military, and many private sector retirees.
  For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE, or go online to 
www.medicare.gov or call senior services.
  Sign up now and begin coverage in June. Otherwise you will have to 
wait until January to begin this new benefit. Join our over 30 million 
seniors and begin saving now.

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