Michael Burgess: “here it is June 1, and the Medicare prescription drug benefit starts today. This drug benefit is a long time in coming.…”

“here it is June 1, and the Medicare prescription drug benefit starts today. This drug benefit is a long time in coming. In fact, it is the missing link from when Medicare was passed back in 1965. The Medicare prescription drug benefit is going to occur in two phases, and the first phase starts today and that is the Medicare prescription drug discount card which is available to any senior calling 1-800-Medicare or logging on to the Internet, www.medicare.gov. The formal program is choice based, consumer driven and affordable. In fact, low-income seniors will receive an extra $600 subsidy this year and next year. When the full Medicare prescription drug benefit kicks in on January 1, 2006, seniors will have the choice whether or not to opt into the program. Taking the prescription drug benefit discount now in no way obligates a senior to a future Medicare prescription drug benefit in the year 2006. The most important thing about this legislation is that for the first time it actually empowers seniors to make the best choices based on value.”