[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 19 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Pages 863-864]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

May 6, 2006

    Good morning. Today I want to talk with you about the new Medicare 
prescription drug coverage that went into effect at the start of this 
year. Everyone on Medicare is eligible for this new coverage, but the 
enrollment deadline of May 15th is just over a week away. For those of 
you with Medicare who have not yet signed up, it is important for you to 
review your options and choose a plan. By enrolling before the deadline, 
you can ensure the lowest possible premiums and start saving on your 
prescription drug bills.
    Many of you have already made the wise decision to enroll. Since the 
new coverage went into effect, more than 30 million Americans now have 
prescription drug coverage through the Medicare program, and more are 
enrolling each week. Recent surveys show that the vast majority of 
seniors are satisfied with the program and for good reason.
    Competition in the prescription drug market has been stronger than 
expected, and costs for seniors are lower than expected. The average 
premium that seniors pay is a third less than had been expected--just 
$25 per month instead of $37 per month. The typical person with Medicare 
who previously had no drug coverage will now spend about half of what he 
or she used to spend on prescription drugs, saving an average of $1,100 
per year.
    Low-income seniors receive extra help. For them Medicare will now 
cover, on average, more than 95 percent of the costs of their 
prescription drugs. Thanks to this new coverage, America's seniors are 
now getting the modern medicine they need at prices they can afford.
    Prescription drug coverage under Medicare is also giving our seniors 
more and better choices for their health care. Instead of having to 
accept a one-size-fits-all plan, seniors are now choosing from a variety 
of drug plans, and they're finding the one that best fits their needs. 
Most seniors are able to choose their plans that have low premiums, low 
or no deductibles, fixed copayments for most drugs, and affordable 
coverage to fill in coverage gaps.
    Medicare prescription drug coverage is a great deal for seniors. So 
today I am encouraging those of you who still have not enrolled to take 
a look at your options and sign up before the May 15th deadline, in 
order to ensure the lowest premiums. Even if you do not have significant 
drug expenses now, you should consider joining a Medicare drug plan to 
protect yourself against high prescription drug bills down the road.
    There are many ways you can get help to choose a drug plan and 
enroll. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. You can speak 
with a Medicare counselor 24 hours a day at 1-800-MEDICARE. You can 
enroll online by visiting the official Medicare web site at 
medicare.gov. If you need help enrolling, citizens' groups like AARP and 
NAACP, faith-based organizations, health professionals, and pharmacies 
are working to answer questions. Between now and May 15th, events will 
be held across the country to answer your questions and help you enroll 
for the new drug coverage. And if you have family or friends on 
Medicare, you can help too. Helping can be as simple as showing an older 
neighbor how to fill out a form, helping a senior use the Internet, or 
making a call for your mom or dad.
    I was proud to sign Medicare prescription drug coverage into law. 
Because we acted, America now has a Medicare system to fit the needs of 
the 21st century, and millions of American seniors and persons with 
disabilities are now saving a lot of money and receiving the modern 
health care they deserve. Over the coming days, we will continue working 
to make sure that everyone with Medicare has a chance to save money and

[[Page 864]]

enjoy the peace of mind that this new drug coverage brings.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on May 5 in the Cabinet Room 
at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 6. The transcript 
was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 5 but was 
embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.