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  • Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy

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    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    April 25, 2006

    CONTACT:
     Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
    Kim Wright 202-216-8414

    ~ 4 Million Seniors ~ One Voice ~No Privatization ~

    National Committee members Send a “Welcome Back” Message to Congress

     Letters and petitions demand a Part D overhaul

    After a two week recess, Congress is back in session and members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare want Part D reform at the top of their agenda. During the last three weeks, they've signed more than 150,000 letters and petitions to all 435 members in the House of Representatives urging them to pass H.R. 752, the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, or other similar legislation that will fix the serious flaws in the Part D prescription drug plan. The letters will be delivered the week of April 24. The petition drive will continue over the summer with delivery scheduled for early fall.  

    “The positive assessments of Part D coming from the administration lately certainly do not reflect what seniors are telling us about the program.  There are still 7 million Medicare beneficiaries without drug coverage. Many are confused about this overly complicated and unpredictable drug plan and others say Part D just doesn't meet their needs. Our members want a simple and affordable drug law which requires Medicare to negotiate for lower prices and provide those savings directly to seniors. ” …Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO

    With just weeks left to enroll before the May 15 th late enrollment penalty is imposed, only slightly more than half of those without prescription drug coverage before Part D have signed up for this drug plan. Over 80% of seniors eligible to receive low cost coverage are still not enrolled. Part D needs to be overhauled.

    The National Committee has a four point plan to overhaul Part D. A summary of the of the plan and related position papers are available here.

    The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.