[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2006)]
[Page 1856]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Reporters at a CVS Pharmacy

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 at 11:04 a.m.