McKeon Lauds Progress on Medicare Prescription Drug Sign-Ups

McKeon Lauds Progress on Medicare Prescription Drug Sign-Ups

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) today praised the ongoing progress in enrolling beneficiaries in the Medicare prescription drug plan. The latest data shows that over 27 million seniors have now enrolled in the program.

"It is pretty clear that the Medicare program is a great success. Seniors are voting with their feet and are signing up by the thousands each day," said McKeon.

Current data indicate that 416,000 eligible seniors have been signing up for the Medicare prescription drug program nationwide each week. In California, 77% of those eligible for the program have signed up thus far, for a total of over 3 million beneficiaries thus far. In the 25th district represented by McKeon, enrollments are 112% of the 2006 expected enrollment.

"We made a serious effort in the 25th district to reach out to seniors to explain to them how the program works. There is no doubt that it is complex, but with a little bit of time and a little bit of study it can be understood," added McKeon.

Under the Medicare prescription drug plan which was passed in 2003, eligible seniors choose from a menu of different plans that meet their particular needs. They then pay a monthly premium, which varies by plan, and a yearly deductible. Costs will vary depending on which drug plan the beneficiary chooses. Extra help is provided for people with limited incomes.

"Given the savings seniors will get from the plan, we have to continue to work to get the word out about the program. It would be a terrible waste if someone who would benefit from the plan stayed away because they had the mistaken impression that it was too complicated to be understood," said McKeon.

http://mckeon.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=42213