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Sen. Dole on Pfizer Tour Promoting 10 Points on Medicare Drug Benefit
Ten things senior need to know about Medicares new Prescription Drug
Program
June
22, 2005 - In a continuing effort to promote the new Medicare
prescription drug benefit, Senator Bob Dole today launched a second
nationwide speaking tour, paid for by drug-maker Pfizer, Inc., on the
importance of the benefit to seniors and people living with
disabilities. Over the next several months, Senator Dole will be
traveling to sites across the country to present the "Ten Things Seniors
Need to Know about Medicare's New Prescription Drug Coverage," which is
an educational pamphlet that explains the details of the Medicare Drug
Benefit.
Speaking to an audience of senior citizens and advocates representing
leading consumer, senior and disability health groups, Senator Dole
stressed the importance of working together to help seniors maximize the
benefits of the new program.
"With the enrollment
period starting in November, it is important that we work together to
educate seniors and people living with disabilities about the changes to
Medicare," said Senator Dole. "This is the greatest change to Medicare
since it began in 1965. The new benefit will help millions of Americans
lower the cost of their prescriptions and millions more will be eligible
for free medicines. We must work to make sure seniors understand their
options, and I'm happy to be traveling the country once again to raise
awareness among beneficiaries."
Joining Senator Dole at the press conference was Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator Leslie Norwalk, who
discussed the agency's role in helping seniors understand the new
benefit. "At Medicare, we are conducting a broad national grassroots
campaign to make sure seniors and people with a disability can make a
confident decision about their drug coverage. Senator Dole's educational
effort will help tremendously and we are glad to have his assistance,"
said Leslie Norwalk.
Senator Dole and CMS Deputy Administrator Leslie Norwalk were joined by
representatives from many of the 19 national organizations supporting
Senator Dole at the kickoff press conference. The groups, representing
more than seven million Americans, are educating their constituents
about the benefits of the new Medicare law through a variety of
grassroots education activities.
The advocacy groups supporting Senator Dole's
efforts include: Easter Seals, NAMI, Alliance for Aging Research,
Alliance of Health, Education and Development, National Alliance for
Caregiving, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Latino Coalition,
Centre for New Black Leadership, Kidney Cancer Association, National
Grange, RetireSafe, American Autoimmune Related Diseases, The ALS
Association, Visiting Nurses Association of America, Women Impacting
Public Policy, Alzheimer's Association, National Patient Advocate
Foundation, Parkinson's Action Network and Men's Health Network. Copies
of Senator Dole's educational pamphlet are available through these
organizations.
"We are pleased to again
support Senator Dole in this important educational endeavor. As an
organization, we are committed to providing support and assistance to
our members on the new Medicare prescription drug benefits as the signup
period is fast approaching," said Andrew Sperling, Director of
Legislative Affairs for NAMI. "Senator Dole's efforts in this
educational outreach will go a long way toward helping people understand
the importance of the new benefit. I'm confident that as more groups
support the campaign that our combined outreach will have an enormous
impact on beneficiaries' acceptance of Medicare's new prescription drug
benefit."
In addition to speaking
to groups around the country, Senator Dole is providing information
about the new prescription drug benefit on the Internet. "To help
seniors and their friends and family members learn about the new
Medicare benefits, we have updated the Web site,
http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/, with new information to
help families learn more about the issue," said Senator Dole. "At
our
Website, you can also get a copy of the '10 Things' pamphlet, along with
other helpful information to educate yourself about the new benefit."
Senator Dole also encourages seniors to check out
http://www.medicare.gov/, the official CMS Web site, or call
the CMS hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE to get more information.
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 many of
the health care, Social Security and Medicare debates. During his
leadership, he also worked to save Social Security in 1983.
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