Ginny and the Medicare Rx Bus

Washington, D.C., Feb 17 - As part of her efforts to help Florida’s seniors enroll in the first ever Medicare Prescription Drug benefit program, U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) hosted the Medicare Rx Bus Tour today in Spring Hill, Florida.  The Bus Tour is part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outreach services and was at St. Frances Cabrini for five hours to help seniors navigate and enroll in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

“Seniors throughout the 5^th District have responded in overwhelming numbers to the first ever Medicare Prescription Drug benefit,” said Rep. Brown-Waite.  “In just the first month of the five month initial sign-up period, more than 60% of Hernando County seniors had already enrolled in a new drug benefit plan.  Like any large scale program rollout, however, there have been many questions about enrollment from seniors throughout my District and the nation. 

“When I asked CMS to work with me and help educate Florida constituents about the program, they were more than happy to bring the Medicare Rx Bus Tour to Hernando County.  Today I saw firsthand the hardworking CMS and SHINE professionals who signed up Hernando County seniors for the new Prescription Drug Program.  Seniors had their questions answered and their concerns alleviated.  Starting today, for the first time many of these men and women began to save money on the high cost of their prescription drug medications.

“But there is more work to do to ensure our constituents receive the best information possible about their individual prescription drug plan.  CMS needs to continue this type of outreach to individual communities to help seniors navigate the different drug plans and help them make the best choice for their future health care needs.”

Beginning January 1, prescription drug coverage became available to all Americans with Medicare.  Every person with Medicare – no matter how they get their health care today or whether they have existing drug coverage – will be eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan.  The drug plans are available in all parts of the country, and they will cover brand name and generic drugs.  Prescriptions can be obtained from neighborhood pharmacies and through mail order.

All Medicare beneficiaries have a choice of plans, so they can get the coverage that meets their needs.  They will need to make a decision soon about signing up for Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage – and President Bush has launched a nationwide outreach effort to help them to make an informed decision. Enrollment continues through May 15.