    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [October 20, 2006]
    [Page 1884]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Medicare Reform
    October 20, 2006

    Medicare Reform

        The President. Secretary Leavitt and
    I are pleased to be here at this counter where seniors come to buy
    prescription drugs. And one of the interesting things that happens at
    this counter is that these decent folks are constantly reminding seniors
    that there is a cost-saving benefit, Plan D in Medicare, available for
    them. It's a new plan; it just started last year. The Health and Human
    Services helped implement the plan, and millions of seniors are
    benefiting. Our seniors are saving money. They're getting better
    coverage. It's a plan that I'm real proud of.
        We will continue to work to make it as good as it possibly can be. I
    really do want to thank these kind-hearted souls who say to a senior
    that you no longer--poor seniors, particularly--you no longer have to
    choose between food and medicine because there's a new way forward. Our
    compassionate approach to health care is working for America's seniors.
    And I want to thank you.
        You want to say anything about the enrollment process?
        Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt. On November 15th, people can go through an open
    enrollment period. Eighty percent of seniors who are on this plan are
    satisfied with their plan, and if they're satisfied, they don't need to
    do anything. But over 80 percent will be able to find a plan that's
    cheaper, if they want to, or that may, in fact, fit their particular
    situation.
        We'll have people available at 1-800-MEDICARE. There will be people
    at pharmacies and at senior centers--and others that can help them
    around the country. This has been a big success, and we're going to get
    better at it. We're getting better at it every year. It'll be better
    this year than it was last, and it will be better the year after that,
    just like Medicare was in 1965. This is a very important American
    success story that we'll now build upon.
        The President. Thank you all very much. Appreciate it.

    Note: The President spoke to reporters at 11:04 a.m. at a CVS Pharmacy.