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Sen. Bob Dole Reports Seeing Steady Progress with
Medicare Discount Cards on Tour Sponsored by Drug Firm
Dole Cites Ten 'Do's' and 'Don'ts' for Seniors
Considering Cards
June 24, 2004 -
Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole appeared in
Washington, D.C. today as part of his speaking tour sponsored by Pfizer,
Inc., a drug firm, to tout the Medicare-approved drug cards. He says the
program is making steady progress.
"After speaking to
thousands of seniors across the country, I've found that those who have
educated themselves about the card and understand the different choices
available to them are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive
significant savings on their medications," said Senator Dole, who has
toured for the last five months for Pfizer.
"While there is no
doubt that there are a lot of seniors who are confused by the card, I
believe the answer is to continue presenting opportunities like this
program today for seniors to learn more about these cards," he said.
Senator Dole, who
has been joined in his national campaign by 17 groups (see list below)
representing the interests of over 7 million Americans went on to say,
"It's really a matter of telling the full story of the program,
supplying easy to understand explanations, and providing seniors with
the confidence that they have made the best possible choice for the next
24 months. As seniors become more informed and understand the savings
that are available, you'll see sign- up rates increase. Seniors know
good value when they see it."
Following
presentations in Washington, D.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Tallahassee, Fla.;
Harrisburg, Pa.; and Chicago, Ill., Senator Dole has compiled a list of
"do's" and "don'ts" for seniors who are considering signing up in the
program:
Do's:
* Do
understand this program is totally voluntary. No one is forcing you
to do
anything. Take your time and when and if you are ready, sign up.
* Do
stay with your current drug program if you like it and it is
providing the drugs you need.
* Do be
a smart shopper. Demand and get information on all the discount
cards
and then use a sharp pencil to decide what card is the best deal
for
you.
* Do
use families, friends and professional staffs at senior centers to
obtain advice and assistance on making a decision on the discount cards.
* Do
understand this is the beginning of a series of significant
enhancements to Medicare that will go into full effect in January of
2006. In sum, these actions will amount to the biggest positive changes
in
Medicare since the program was started in 1965.
Don'ts:
* Don't
sign up with anyone who calls you on the telephone or knocks on
your
door offering Medicare Discount Cards. This type of action is
explicitly prohibited by Medicare and people engaging in this sort of
activity are breaking the law.
* Don't
listen to people who say the card is "worthless." For millions of
seniors, these cards can provide significant savings of up to 25%, and
more,
on brand name prescription drugs; and savings of up to 60% on
generic drugs.
* Don't
lose the opportunity for $1,200 in free credits for your drugs.
If
you qualify, you will get $600 this year; and $600 next year from
Medicare to be used for your prescriptions.
* Don't
accept statements by those who say this was a "Republican" or a
"Democrat" bill. The new Medicare law was supported by members of both
parties and signed into law by President Bush.
* Don't
stop getting more information on the discount cards and the new
law.
It will only benefit you to know more.
Joining Senator Dole
today at the press conference were representatives from NAMI, The
National Grange and the Visiting Nurses Association of America, three of
the organizations supporting Senator Dole throughout his speaking tour.
These three organizations are educating their constituents about the
benefits of the new Medicare law through a variety of grassroots
education activities.
"NAMI has been
conducting on-site training sessions in Arizona, Colorado, Florida,
Louisiana, South Carolina, Missouri, and Alabama to educate our regional
affiliates about the new Medicare law. NAMI has also developed a
Web-based education tool for families to use that features links to the
Web site for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The
Web site allows beneficiaries and their families to find the Medicare
discount card that offers the deepest discounts for the specific
medications a beneficiary with mental illness is taking. We want
families to understand what questions to ask about the new law, and how
to find reliable answers. We are committed to making that process easier
for them," said Andrew Sperling, NAMI's Director of Legislative
Advocacy. "During the month of May alone, the NAMI Web site received
more than 3,100 hits from people inquiring about the new Medicare
discount card and prescription drug assistance program."
"The National Grange
will be sponsoring educational programs on Medicare- Approved Discount
Drug Cards in over 1000 communities across America. The National Grange
through its local and state affiliates will be distributing
informational materials, conducting informational sessions, and taking
part in county and state fairs to inform beneficiaries and their
families about the Medicare-Approved Discount Drug Cards," said Richard
Weiss, COO of the National Grange.
To help seniors and
their friends and family members learn about the new Medicare benefits,
Senator Dole has developed a new Web site (http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com)
and created an educational pamphlet that explains the details of the
Medicare Drug Benefit in straight-forward, easy to understand language.
In addition to the
services offered by community groups, "The Medicare Web site and
800-number are great resources for seniors to learn about the new
Medicare law," Senator Dole remarked. "But another great source of
information is within their local community. Organizations working with
me and conducting grassroots Medicare campaigns are making great strides
in educating their citizens about the new benefits and encouraging them
to sign up."
The 17 advocacy
groups supporting Senator Dole's efforts include: NAMI, Alliance for
Aging Research, Lupus Foundation of America, The Latino Coalition,
Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, Centre for New Black Leadership,
Kidney Cancer Association, National Grange, RetireSafe.org, The ALS
Association, Visiting Nurses Association of America, Women Impacting
Public Policy, National Adult Day Services Association, National
Association for Uniformed Services, Alzheimer's Association, Hispanics
Impacting Public Policy and Men's Health Network. Copies of Senator
Dole's educational pamphlet are available through these organizations.
Senator Bob Dole
served the people of Kansas for over 35 years as both a member of the
United States House of Representatives and as a United States Senator.
During his years in the Senate, he served as both Majority and Minority
Leader, during which time he influenced most, if not all, of the health
care, Social Security and Medicare debates, including his leadership to
save Social Security in 1983.
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