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Bush Tells Seniors Drug Plan Choice is 'Daunting
Task'
Dec. 13, 2005 President Bush spoke briefly to
senior citizens at a retirement community outside Washington and
admitted the Medicare prescription drug plan choice is a "daunting
task," but encouraged seniors to get help if they need it to make
their decision.
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Medicare Drug Program
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The plan Medicare Part D is set to begin on
January 1 but enrollment has been slow by seniors facing numerous
decisions in the effort to select a plan that best meets their needs.
He also said there is help available through
Medicare and their associates.
The President's brief visit was to Greenspring
Village Retirement Community, just outside Washington. It is home to
more than 2,000 moderate-income residents and is managed by Erickson
Retirement Communities based in Catonsville, Md.
John Erickson, chairman of the company, said the
prescription drug benefit presents a tough decision for some retirees,
according to an Associated Press report.
"I'd say about 40 percent are depending upon their
children for some additional assistance in helping understanding the
program," he said.
The complete text of the President's remarks are
below.
President Participates in Medicare Roundtable with
Seniors
Greenspring Village Retirement Community
Springfield, Virginia
10:36 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Mark McClellan and I have just
heard from folks who have been analyzing and/or helping people analyze
the current Medicare drug benefit and current Medicare -- modernized
Medicare program.
Awhile ago I worked with the Congress to modernize
and strengthen Medicare for our seniors. And the reason we did, because
if the government commits to health care for our seniors it ought to be
a program that does the following things: One, provide modern medicine;
and two, give seniors a variety of options from which to match their
needs to that which is available.
We fully recognize that for some seniors, that this
is a daunting task. When you give people choice and options, it is -- it
can be a situation where people say, I don't really -- this is something
I may not want to do. And so I want to assure the seniors the following
things: One, the Medicare -- the new Medicare plan is voluntary, it's
optional; two, that there are people around who are willing to help
explain the program for you and to you. There's -- when you have choices
to make, there's going to be some -- you do have choices to make -- and
somebody will be able to sit down with you and explain why this program
is good.
For example, Eloise is talking about the fact that
she's spending a lot on prescription drugs, and under the new Medicare
plan, she's able to choose a program that will substantially reduce the
cost of her prescription drugs. Low-income seniors will get substantial
help. People will be able to match a program to their specific needs.
And what we want to assure seniors around the
country is that there is help. You can call 1-800-Medicare. You can get
on the Internet with Medicare.gov. Ask your son or daughter, ask people
in your church, ask people in AARP, ask people in your community center
to help you look at what's available for you. It's a good deal. It's a
good deal for our seniors.
And so one of the reasons we have come today is to
encourage people to see what is available in the new law. Enrollment
began in mid-November; the program will begin in January of this year.
We urge you to look at the options available to you and sign up by May
of next year.
This is government that has recognized it has a
responsibility to help our seniors. And the bill I was fortunate enough
to sign into law does just that.
Again, I want to thank you all for joining us. I
want to thank you for your hard work, Charlotte. Ellen DeMucci is a
pharmacist. One of the interesting groups that are reaching out to our
seniors are those who are behind the counter. Ellen and her fellow
pharmacists interface with seniors on a daily basis. They know the needs
of seniors. They, in many cases, have analyzed what's available for our
seniors. They're available to help seniors fill out the forms. She has
worked with Eloise.
Again, I urge our fellow citizens to help our
seniors realize what's available in this wonderful program. And I
finally want to thank Senator Allen and Congressman Davis for joining
us, as well. They're interested in this program, they're interested in
the people of Virginia, and they want to make sure the seniors of
Virginia get all the options available for them to choose from.
Thank you all.
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