Roy Blunt: “like many other Members who voted for the addition of prescription drugs to Medicare and Medicare reform on both sides…”

“like many other Members who voted for the addition of prescription drugs to Medicare and Medicare reform on both sides of the aisle, I have been out in my district talking to people about this first significant change in Medicare in 38 years. What I am finding is a tremendous reception to the changes we have made: The prescription drug card that will be available in June where people can call in and find out, based on the medicines they take, which card is best for them; the significant assistance to low-income seniors who not only get that card for free but also get $600 of credit on that card; and as we move into the full Medicare program in 2006, get their premiums paid if they choose to get their premiums paid. But, of course, as you are dealing with seniors and many of us who are not all that comfortable with change, the most important thing you can say is, You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but you can look at these new options and see if these options are better for you than what you've got. If they aren't better for you than what you've got or you just don't want to change, you don't have to. The addition of prescription drugs to Medicare brings Medicare in line with medicine. It is about time, Mr. Speaker. I am glad we did it.”