"Mounting evidence shows that the new Medicare Drug Discount Card is working and working well," Senator Dole told an Atlanta audience today. "For example, The Lewin Group just reported that participants will save an average of $1,247 over 18 months," said Senator Dole. "This is the second national, independent report this month that documents what the nearly five million seniors who have signed up for the benefit already know: The Medicare Drug Discount Card is delivering substantial savings on the cost of prescription medications."

"We are also now starting to hear very positive reports of drug savings from all over the country. Places like Charleston, West Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Choteau, Montana; St. Petersburg, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Ironton, Ohio, to name a few, are reporting real savings for their seniors," said Dole. He went on to point out, "After speaking to thousands of seniors in cities across this country, I've found that the key for seniors is taking the time to get educated on the discount card." Dole urged seniors to study the program options carefully with their family, friends, and physicians to find a plan that is best for them. "Particularly those individuals with incomes of less than $1,100 per month, or couples under $1,400 per month, definitely should check out these discount options. This program, with its $600 drug credit this year and next, is a tremendous $1,200 benefit for lower income seniors," stated Dole.

CMS is reporting that over 400,000 seniors are expected to sign up for the program this month and that upwards of 7 million will be using the card by the end of the year. "100,000 seniors per week are finding that there is value in the Discount Card Program," said Dole. "As people learn, for example, that the savings on generics are anywhere from 37 to 65% less than they are paying now, they appreciate that this is a program they should look into joining."

Joining Senator Dole today at the press conference were representatives from many of the 17 national organizations representing over seven million Americans that have been supporting Senator Dole throughout his speaking tour. Many of the organizations are educating their constituents about the benefits of the new Medicare law through a variety of grassroots education activities.

The 17 advocacy groups supporting Senator Dole's efforts include: NAMI, Alliance for Aging Research, Lupus Foundation of America, The Latino Coalition, Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, Centre for New Black Leadership, Kidney Cancer Association, National Grange, RetireSafe.org, The ALS Association, Visiting Nurses Association of America, Women Impacting Public Policy, National Adult Day Services Association, National Association for Uniformed Services, Alzheimer's Association, Hispanics Impacting Public Policy and Men's Health Network. Copies of Senator Dole's educational pamphlet are available through these organizations.

To help seniors and their friends and family members learn about the new Medicare benefits, Senator Dole has developed a new Web site (http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/) and created an educational pamphlet that explains the details of the Medicare Drug Benefit in straight-forward, easy to understand language. He also urges seniors to check out http://www.medicare.gov/, the official CMS information website, or calling the CMS hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE.

Recently, Senator Dole released a list of "do's" and "don'ts" for seniors who are considering signing up in the program and he has urged seniors to review these as they consider the new Medicare Drug Discount Card program.

Do's:

* Do understand this program is totally voluntary. No one is forcing you to do anything. Take your time and when and if you are ready, sign up.

* Do stay with your current drug program if you like it and it is providing the drugs you need.

* Do be a smart shopper. Demand and get information on all the discount cards and then use a sharp pencil to decide what card is the best deal for you.

* Do use families, friends and professional staffs at senior centers to obtain advice and assistance on making a decision on the discount cards.

* Do understand this is the beginning of a series of significant enhancements to Medicare that will go into full effect in January of 2006. In sum, these actions will amount to the biggest positive changes in Medicare since the program was started in 1965.

Don'ts:

* Don't sign up with anyone who calls you on the telephone or knocks on your door offering Medicare Discount Cards. This type of action is explicitly prohibited by Medicare and people engaging in this sort of activity are breaking the law.

* Don't listen to people who say the card is "worthless." For millions of seniors, these cards can provide significant savings of up to 25%, and more, on brand name prescription drugs; and savings of up to 65% on generic drugs.

* Don't lose the opportunity for $1,200 in free credits for your drugs. If you qualify, you will get $600 this year; and $600 next year from Medicare to be used for your prescriptions.

* Don't accept statements by those who say this was a "Republican" or a "Democrat" bill. The new Medicare law was supported by members of both parties and signed into law by President Bush.

* Don't stop getting more information on the discount cards and the new law. It will only benefit you to know more.

Senator Bob Dole served the people of Kansas for over 35 years as both a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a United States Senator. During his years in the Senate, he served as both Majority and Minority Leader, during which time he influenced most, if not all, of the health care, Social Security and Medicare debates, including his leadership to save Social Security in 1983.

Senator Dole's nationwide speaking tour is sponsored by Pfizer Inc.

Source: NAMI