Jack Kingston: “the prescription drug benefit addition to Medicare, which was passed by the Republican Congress, Republican Senate, and…”

“the prescription drug benefit addition to Medicare, which was passed by the Republican Congress, Republican Senate, and signed by the Republican President, mostly over Democrat objections, has four aspects we need to remember: Number one, this very popular program, endorsed by the AARP and most senior groups and health care groups, starts officially in the year 2006. Number two, it is voluntary. Number three, it reduces the cost of prescription drugs by approximately 50 percent after the premiums and the deductibles are met. It is about a 50-percent reduction, not as much as many would want; yet it is still affordable. Number four, effective yesterday, June 1, many seniors, and those who voluntarily have decided to buy a prescription drug card similar to this, will enjoy a 20 percent discount on their drugs. That means that my mom and dad, and yours too, perhaps, can start getting about a 20 percent discount on Glucophage or Lipitor or whatever prescription drug they need. All they need to do is dial 1-800 Medicare or www. Medicare.gov in order to see how they can immediately start saving 20 percent on their prescription drugs.”