John Shimkus: “I am excited about the benefits of the Medicare D prescription drug plan. I have two stories I would like to relate to…”

“I am excited about the benefits of the Medicare D prescription drug plan. I have two stories I would like to relate to you and to my colleagues. I have one lady who is saving $24,000 a year by now taking part in Medicare part D. For the first time in years, she now is back on the road driving because she couldn't afford to buy automobile insurance. So not only is she saving money, but she is now free again to take part in activities that she for so long put aside. Another HIV-positive disabled individual is saving $15,000 a year accessing the Medicare D prescription drug plan. So it is a plan that is working. For those that did not sign up, I would encourage our seniors to continue to investigate it. At the most, it will be an additional $25 premium if they sign up in May. And if you are low income, there is never a penalty. Low-income seniors who take access even now will never pay a Medicare D prescription drug penalty, because the program was designed for the poorest of all seniors so they wouldn't have to make a choice between food and prescription drugs. ____________________”