Before coming to Congress, I practiced as an OBGYN physician for nearly 30 years. Over Labor Day weekend, I got to put on my white coat once again, as I traveled to Baton Rouge, La. to provide medical care to some of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 

I was stationed at the River Center Medical Clinic, a temporary home to more than 5,000 evacuees.  Some people were sick from swallowing contaminated flood water; many others had gone several days without the medicine they needed to manage chronic conditions. All were grateful for the assistance we could provide to them.

The evacuees with whom I spoke were patient and kind, appreciative for the care and the warm meals being served by volunteers. These people were finally comfortable, and they had hope.

It was this optimism that touched me the most. The evacuees were thankful for the assistance and aid streaming in from across the nation. Volunteers were plentiful at the River Center, and the Red Cross was doing a great job getting medical equipment and personal items to those in need.

In Baton Rouge, I saw the best side of humanity; I saw the best of America.

But you don’t have to go to the Gulf Coast to find it. Right here in our own communities, people are working every day to set up funding, food, shelters and supplies for the families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In these trying times, Americans are helping Americans.

But when a disaster as colossal as Hurricane Katrina strikes, there is always more we can do.  Georgia has become a temporary home for many of the hurricane’s victims, and our communities have welcomed the evacuees with open arms, open doors, and open hearts.  Our generosity must continue, because their needs certainly will.  We can show gratitude for all we have by helping those who have nothing.

This is the American way. Wherever nature kicks us down, there are a million hands waiting to lift us up.  Neither waves, nor rain, nor wind nor blistering heat can crush the American spirit.  We are ready to treat a stranger like a neighbor, and a victim like a friend.

Georgians are responding to Hurricane Katrina with eager generosity.  As I hear the stories of sacrifice and dedication from across our state, I am proud to be a citizen of this great and generous nation.

---------------------------------------------------

Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors

By: Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D.

In July, Medicare celebrated its 40^th anniversary.  Over the last 40 years, much has changed in healthcare.  Modern medicine has developed ways to prevent, treat, and cure a host of illnesses and diseases.  We’ve come to understand the importance of preventative care and medication.  In fact, today we know that access to the right medicine is one of the bedrocks of good health, especially for our seniors. 

Unfortunately, with the rising cost of prescription drugs, many seniors can’t afford their medicine.  This means seniors aren’t fully benefiting from the advances in modern healthcare.

To fix this problem, Congress passed a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare. With all that has changed in healthcare over the last 40 years, it was important to modernize Medicare as well.   The new benefit, Medicare Part D, goes into effect January 1, 2006.  Seniors with limited income can sign up now, and open enrollment for Medicare beneficiaries begins November 15.

Getting seniors signed up for Medicare Part D marks the largest enrollment effort since the introduction of Medicare 40 years ago. In the 11^th District alone, there are more than 85,500 Medicare beneficiaries who can benefit from this coverage. Over the next few months, I’ll be working hard to educate seniors about Medicare Part D and how they can sign up and save.

Whether you’re a senior or care for a senior in your life, here’s what you need to know:

Ø      Medicare Part D is available to all Medicare beneficiaries, with additional help available for low-income seniors.  

Ø      The new benefit covers both generic and brand-name drugs. 

Ø      Seniors will have a choice of Medicare-approved plans with monthly premiums of around $35.  This allows seniors get coverage that fits their needs.

On average, a person with Medicare could see his or her total drug spending drop more than 50 percent. If seniors already have drug coverage through an employer, union plan or Medicare Health Plan (Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Cost plan), Medicare can provide help with the costs of those plans as well.

Here’s how Medicare Part D works:

Ø      There is a $250 yearly deductible, after which Medicare pays approximately 75 percent of a senior’s prescription drug costs up to $2,250 a year. 

Ø      If your yearly out-of-pocket drug costs are higher than $3,600, Medicare will cover 95 percent of your costs for the rest of the year.

Ø      For seniors with individual resources of less than $11,500 or married resources of less than $23,000 a year, there is no deductible, and co-pays will be around $4.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid is estimating that seniors will save an average of $1,300 a year with the prescription drug benefit. This is great news for our seniors.

To take full advantage of these savings, I encourage seniors to sign up for Medicare Part D as soon as they become eligible.  The initial sign up period runs from November 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006.  Seniors who sign up as soon as they’re eligible will be guaranteed the lowest premiums.

You can ask questions and request information for yourself, a parent, or a friend by  calling the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid at 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also contact my office, where trained staff is available to answer questions and provide help: Marietta (770) 429-1776, Rome (706) 290-1776, Carrollton (770) 836-8130. 

By helping seniors stay well and reap the benefits of modern medicine, Medicare Part D is the perfect celebration of Medicare’s 40^th anniversary.

Phil is working hard to help seniors learn about Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug benefit available to all Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors with limited income can sign up now, and all seniors can sign up starting November 15, 2005.

If you have questions or need more information about Medicare Part D, Phil recommends several resources:

Ø      You can ask questions and request information for yourself, a parent, or a friend by calling the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Ø      If you have internet access, you can visit the site www.Medicare.gov to learn more about Part D.  This site can also help you find a plan that’s right for you.

Ø      You can visit www.BenefitsCheckUp.org, a site sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services. This site helps seniors determine if they qualify for additional low-income coverage, and lists the information seniors will need when choosing a plan.

Ø      You can contact Phil’s office, where trained staff is available to answer questions and provide help: Marietta (770) 429-1776, Rome (706) 290-1776, Carrollton (770) 836-8130. 

On the fourth anniversary of September 11^th, Phil honored the brave first responders who risked their lives after terrorists attacked our nation, and also praised the emergency workers helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He remarked:

“This nation owes so much to the firemen, EMTs, and other emergency workers who put themselves in harms way to ensure our safety. We remember the chilling images of September 11, 2001.  So many of those poignant moments are inseparable from the courageous actions of our first responders. 

“With the tragic events on the Gulf Coast this month, our country has once again seen the dedication of our first responders.  Their contributions to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort are felt by every person rescued from a roof, by every person receiving medical care, by every person evacuated from a flooded city. Once again, the heroism of America’s first responders is evident and deeply appreciated.

“I want to thank our first responders here in the 11^th District for all they do to protect the people of Georgia.  While it may not be televised every day, their heroism is certainly valued every day, and we owe them our deepest gratitude.”

This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5,  the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005.  The bill, which Phil introduced, reforms America’s medical liability system to favor patients, not trial lawyers. H.R. 5 discourages baseless lawsuits by limiting the incentives for filing meritless claims, including placing limits on non-economic and punitive damages.

“H.R. 5 is a great bill that helps ensure all Americans will have access to doctors and medical care when they need it,” said Phil. “We are losing too many good doctors to the skyrocketing costs of medical liability insurance.  Hospitals are closing, and physicians are quitting their practices. H.R. 5 puts an end to this cycle, bringing doctors back to our delivery rooms, emergency rooms, and health centers.”

Phil urged the U.S. Senate to act on this important legislation this fall, saying, “Every year we fail to put a bill on President Bush’s desk is another year many Americans will go without access to the healthcare they deserve.”

 “The state of Georgia has already enacted meaningful tort reform this year, which is helping bring doctors back to our state and bring accessible care back to our citizens,” Phil continued. “The U.S. House is taking a page from Georgia’s playbook and passing legislation to protect all Americans from the medical liability crisis.”

This summer, Phil helped secure $21.8 million for the 411 Connector as part of the Transportation Equity Act. The 411 Connector will provide a direct connection to I-75 for Bartow and Floyd counties.  The project will spur economic development in Bartow, Floyd, Chattooga, Polk and other surrounding counties. 

“For almost 30 years, people in northwest Georgia have waited for easier access to I-75,” Phil said.  “With the $21.8 million we passed today, I’m proud to say we won’t have to wait much longer.”

“The 411 Connector has been my number one transportation priority since I came to Congress,” Phil continued. “After years of hard work, and with the ongoing support of Senators Chambliss and Isakson, this project has finally come to fruition.  This is a triumph for the people of northwest Georgia.”

Phil's website lists local efforts for Hurricane Katrina relief

Phil is helping citizens who want to assist with the hurricane relief effort by keeping an updated list of local organizations on his website, www.house.gov/gingrey.  The page can be viewed at: http://gingrey.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Hurricane_local_help.pdf.

“As I’ve traveled the 11^th District, I’ve heard of so many local efforts to house, clothe, feed, and aid hurricane victims,” said Phil.  “I’m heartened to see Georgians responding with such generosity and support, and I ask everyone in our community to help in whatever way they can. There is so much we can do to help Katrina's victims, from opening our wallets to opening our hearts.”

Community organizations helping Katrina’s victims that would like to be posted on Phil’s website should email becky.ruby@mail.house.gov.