Medicare Prescription Drugs

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS -- (House of Representatives - May 19, 2004)

(Mr. ROGERS of Alabama asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, relief from skyrocketing prescription drug prices is finally on its way.

Beginning in June, Alabama seniors previously without prescription drug coverage should begin to see savings of between 10 and 25 percent on their medications. For example, seniors who previously paid $100 per month for one prescription could now pay as little as $75 per month under this new 100 percent voluntary plan. These same seniors could now see savings of up to $300 per year just on this one medication; and for low-income seniors, even more help is on the way.

Thanks to a $600-per-month credit, 21,400 seniors in my congressional district should see an additional assistance with their drug bills. What is more, Alabama seniors will soon be eligible for important new features like diabetes screening and a free welcome-to-Medicare physical.

The legislation makes important new investments in our rural hospitals and clinics as well. These investments will help improve the health for all of our seniors, as well as all of our families and children.

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