[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.