Gary Hart: “I rise today to call for a stop to the misleading and dishonest rhetoric from some political circles that has been used…”

“I rise today to call for a stop to the misleading and dishonest rhetoric from some political circles that has been used to purposefully scare seniors regarding the new prescription drug program that is available through Medicare. These hollow claims that it is too expensive for seniors or doesn't provide good coverage have been repeated by groups across the country. These couldn't be farther from the truth. By every true measure, the new program is succeeding in its core mission of helping Medicare patients save money on their prescription drugs. Participation in the program has now exceeded its goal of enrolling 30 million by the conclusion of the first year, and it is only May. In addition, since the beginning of March of this year, seniors have been enrolling in the prescription drug plan at the average rate of 416,000 seniors per week. The overwhelming reason that so many Medicare recipients have now enrolled is simple. They are seeing real savings on the cost of their prescription drugs. The average senior who signs up for a plan will save more than $1,100 on their prescription drugs this year and low income seniors projected to save about $3,700; the average premium, only $25. Some in my State are paying just over $10. Mr. Speaker, with so little time left to enroll, I encourage my colleagues help seniors enroll, not scare them. ____________________”