Washington, D.C. - In response to Congressional Democrats' calls today to extend the Medicare Prescription Drug deadline, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands), a member of the Ways and Means Committee that developed the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, had this to say:

 

"Delaying a doctors visit doesn't make you well and delaying the Medicare deadline for purely political purposes won't save seniors money on their prescription drugs. Texas seniors are saving about half on their prescription drugs, and for low income seniors, virtually all of their drug costs covered," said Brady who has conducted numerous Medicare Prescription Drug Workshops in his district to help provide seniors with the information they need about the drug benefit. 

 

"Seventy-five percent of seniors in the Eighth District now have prescription drug coverage, and the rest tell me they are deciding which plan saves them the most money," added Brady citing information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

 

Since January, seniors throughout the country and the Eighth District have been able to sign up for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit passed by Congress at the end of 2003.

 

To get more information on the plan, Seniors can consult the "Medicare and You 2006" handbook, available at www.medicare.gov on the web or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. For more information on who can get extra help with prescription drug costs and how to apply, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the Web.