TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole made the third stop on his nationwide speaking tour today promoting the benefits of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for seniors and people living with disabilities. Appearing at a Senior Pep Rally in Tallahassee, Florida, Senator Dole urged seniors to take advantage of the new benefits and to sign up for them when they become available.
“The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit represents the greatest expansion of Medicare benefits since its passage in 1965,” said Senator Dole. “It will help millions of Americans lower the cost of their prescriptions and is something every qualified senior should consider signing up for. I think the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is the right approach, at the right time that provides a tremendous benefit now and into the future.”
A highlight of today’s activities was Senator Dole’s announcement that four new national organizations, The Latino Coalition, The Kidney Cancer Association, the Center for New Black Leadership and the Silver Haired Legislators have become partners in the Bob Dole on Medicare program. “We are proud to support Senator Dole’s effort to bring information to all Americans about the new Medicare drug benefit. This federal program will have a real and measurable impact in helping countless Latino seniors obtain access to affordable prescription medicines,” said Robert G. de Posada, President of The Latino Coalition. “We look forward to working with Senator Dole and to encourage Latinos to sign up for the benefit.”
Andrew Sperling, Director of Legislative Affairs for NAMI, The Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness, has joined Senator Dole on this important initiative and appeared with him in Columbus early in March and today in Tallahassee. “NAMI has joined this effort to help get the message out to the nation’s seniors and people living with disabilities, including those with mental illness, that prescription drug coverage has arrived,” said Sperling. “NAMI is eager to help Senator Dole ensure that every American has the information they need to take advantage of Medicare’s new drug benefit.”
Following a visit to Westminster Oaks Continuing Care Retirement Community, where he spoke about the new Medicare benefit and met with many of the residents, Senator Dole appeared at a pep rally for senior citizens to talk further about Medicare’s prescription drug benefit. It is sponsored by the Florida Association of Senior Centers. “We appreciate Senator Dole’s willingness to be with us today, and for sharing his expertise on this important new law,” said Cathy Brown, President of the Florida Association of Senior Centers. “Part of Ambassadors for Aging Day is to educate, alert and motivate Florida’s seniors to become more informed on issues that impact health and retirement security. The new Medicare drug benefit is a critical component in helping seniors maintain their health and retirement security. It is something that Florida seniors and seniors everywhere should understand and take advantage of in the months to come.”
To help seniors and their friends and family members learn about the new benefits Senator Dole highlighted his new website (http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/) and provided attendees with an educational pamphlet that explains the details of the Medicare Drug Benefit in straight forward, easy to understand language.
As part of Senator Dole’s appearance at the Senior Day Pep Rally he was greeted by a group of local senior cheerleaders who performed a special cheer they developed for him. Senator Dole’s nationwide tour began in Washington, DC on February 19th with a subsequent appearance in Columbus, OH on March 11th. Following his visit to Tallahassee, Senator Dole will travel to several other cities to deliver information on the new Medicare Drug Benefit over the next four months.
The inclusion of The Latino Coalition, The Kidney Cancer Association, the Center for New Black Leadership and the Silver Haired Legislators today in the Bob Dole on Medicare campaign brings the total to 11 national groups supporting this effort to promote the new Medicare drug benefit on behalf of the populations they serve. In addition to the newly announced partner organizations, existing membership includes, NAMI, Alliance for Aging Research, Lupus Foundation of America, National Grange, RetireSafe.org, The ALS Association, and the Visiting Nurses Association of America. Copies of Senator Dole’s educational pamphlet are available through these organizations.
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 of the Senate, 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 appearance is sponsored by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
NAMI
CONTACT: Patrick Brady, +1-202-256-7824, for NAMI
Web site: http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/