John Drake: “I rise today to thank our local partners in helping spread the word about the new prescription drug benefit.…”

“I rise today to thank our local partners in helping spread the word about the new prescription drug benefit. Southeastern Virginia Senior Services and Eastern Shore Senior Services have worked very diligently to sign people up and to spread information. Many of our local pharmacists, I would like to thank them as well, have allowed people to drop off their information and return for a list of the plans that cover their drugs. Remember, Medicare part D is a voluntary program. It is a private sector insurance plan with a reduced premium. Many seniors do not need to sign up at all because their coverage is as good or better than Medicare. That would include our Federal retirees, State retirees, military, and many private sector retirees. For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE, or go online to www.medicare.gov or call senior services. Sign up now and begin coverage in June. Otherwise you will have to wait until January to begin this new benefit. Join our over 30 million seniors and begin saving now. ____________________”