For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 15, 2003
President Urges Congress to "Finish the Job" on Medicare
In Focus: Medicare Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I traveled to Florida to
visit with seniors about an important goal for my administration and
this nation. After years of debate and deadlock, the Congress is
finishing work on the biggest improvements in senior health care
coverage in nearly 40 years.
Some important details of the Medicare legislation have to be
worked out, but leaders in both the House and the Senate have already
agreed to four clear-cut improvements to Medicare.
First: Within six months of Medicare reform law, all seniors would
be eligible for a Medicare-approved drug discount card. This card
would give seniors an immediate 10 to 25 percent savings on the cost of
their medicines. For seniors with typical drug costs of $1,285 a year,
the card would deliver annual savings of up to $300. And for
low-income seniors, the discount card would include a $600 annual
credit toward drug costs.
Second: Beginning in 2006, we would establish Medicare
prescription drug coverage for all seniors who want it, at a monthly
premium of about $35. For most seniors without coverage today, the new
coverage would cut their annual drug bills roughly in half.
Third: Seniors with the greatest need will get the most help.
Low-income seniors would pay a reduced premium or no premium at all for
the new drug coverage. And low-income seniors would also have lower
co-payments for their medicines.
Fourth: Our seniors would enjoy more choices in their health
coverage, including the same kind of choices that members of Congress
and other federal employees enjoy. If seniors have more choices,
health plans will compete for their business, by offering better
coverage at affordable prices.
The choices we support include the choice of remaining in the
traditional Medicare program. Some seniors don't want change, and if
you're a senior who wants to stay in the current Medicare system, you
will have that option. And with that option, you will also be able to
get Medicare approved prescription drug coverage.
Some seniors may choose a new Medicare-approved private plan, that
includes a drug benefit, along with other options. Such options could
include coverage for extended hospital stays or protection against high
out-of-pocket medical expenses. Others may prefer managed care plans.
Under the approach I support, seniors would have these options, as
well.
American seniors are calling for these improvements. Among the
seniors I met in Florida was Marge MacDonald. Marge and her husband
Mac do not have prescription drug coverage, and they are frustrated.
Here is what Marge says: "I'm tired of the talk. Sooner or later
somebody needs to do something."
Marge is right. The time for delay and deadlock has passed. Now
is the time for action.
I ask seniors, and all Americans, to speak up, to call and write
your representatives and senators, and urge them to work out a final
bill. Congress has an historic opportunity to give all our seniors
prescription drug coverage, health care choices and a healthier, more
secure retirement. We must make these improvements this year, during
this session of Congress. And with your help, we will get the job
done.
Thank you for listening.
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