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This year, Medicare celebrated its 40th anniversary. Since this important program began, the face of healthcare has changed considerably. Medical advances have allowed doctors and patients to prevent, treat, and cure a host of illnesses and diseases. Unfortunately, with the rising cost of prescription drugs, many seniors don’t have access to these treatments or preventative measures. This means seniors aren’t fully benefiting from 21st Century healthcare. To fix this problem, Congress took a big step toward reducing the costs of staying healthy by passing Medicare reform legislation. A major part of that legislation goes into effect January 1, 2006, and will help seniors gain access to affordable prescription drugs. Enrollment begins on November 15, 2005.
I do want to stress that this new coverage is voluntary. Some Medicare beneficiaries will find that their current prescription drug plan provides lower costs than this new benefit. If that is the case, they should feel free to stick with their current plan.
However, I should note that there are benefits to enrolling in this plan when it first becomes available. Most people with Medicare need, or will come to need, prescription drugs to stay healthy. Medicare prescription drug coverage will protect seniors from high out-of-pocket costs. And by enrolling when first eligible, they will pay a lower premium than if they sign up later down the road.
For those who do choose to enroll in the plan, Medicare's new prescription drug coverage will typically pay over half of a senior’s yearly drug costs, for a monthly premium. It will also provide peace of mind because it protects seniors once out-of-pocket drug spending is more than $3600 in a year. All plans will include both brand name and generic drugs at local pharmacies. And extra assistance is available for those who need it most.
As with all healthcare-related decisions, I encourage seniors to take the time to discuss this new benefit with their families, their friends, and their physicians to determine which options are best for them. Other good resources that seniors and their families can tap into to get more information include Medicare’s website www.medicare.gov or by calling Medicare’s free hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE. Members of my staff have also been trained on the details of this benefit, so more information can be found by calling my office toll-free at 1-888-763-1611. I am also hosting workshops across the district where experts on Medicare and Social Security will be on hand to answer questions about the benefit. Times and locations for these workshops can be found on my website at www.randy.house.gov.
Veterans Day Tributes
Veterans Day is Friday, November 11. I encourage everyone to take a few moments to remember the men and women who have protected this country and spread democracy across the globe. I know that there will be several Veterans Day tributes throughout the district this week. I will be participating in an event in Lubbock recognizing Texas Tech’s Virtual Vietnam Archive for its efforts to help us remember the service and sacrifice of those who defended our freedom in Vietnam.
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