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buying property abroad
News and Information Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 // -- The following is a transcript of
remarks by President Bush to the travel pool after roundtable on Medicare:
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 dont 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, its optional; two, that there are people
around who are willing to help explain the program for you and to you.
Theres -- when you have choices to make, theres 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 shes spending a lot on
prescription drugs, and under the new Medicare plan, shes 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 whats
available for you. Its a good deal. Its 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 whats available for our seniors. Theyre available to help seniors
fill out the forms. She has worked with Eloise.
Again, I urge our fellow citizens to help our seniors realize whats
available in this wonderful program. And I finally want to thank Senator Allen
and Congressman Davis for joining us, as well. Theyre interested in this
program, theyre 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.
END 10:40 A.M. EST
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