Bob Dole’s Podcast Assures Seniors ‘They Will Have a Choice of Plans’ in Medicare Drug Coverage

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Former Senator and health care advocate, Bob Dole, made available today the third episode in his podcast series, Ten Things Seniors Need to Know about Medicare’s Drug Coverage. This episode, which can be downloaded at http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/, as well as on iTunes and other podcast directories, focused on the fact that Medicare beneficiaries will have a choice of plans when enrolling in the 2007 Medicare drug benefit.

Senator Dole, who has been promoting the benefit for the last two and a half years on his educational tour, is energized about the success of the program. “Another good thing that I’m encouraged about is that we’re finding out that competition works,” says Dole. “When you’ve got a lot of people out there competing for somebody’s business, the prices are going to come down.”

Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Leslie Norwalk, again joined Senator Dole in this week’s podcast, letting seniors know that the Medicare drug coverage was a significant improvement to the Medicare program. “Medicare will be there in 2006 and beyond to help you and all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of their income, to help pay for lifesaving treatments,” said Norwalk. “Medicare drug coverage can give you the peace of mind that no matter what happens with you and your health — that drug coverage will be there for you.”

Also featured in this episode is Edith Kennedy, a Medicare beneficiary from Tempe, Ariz., who enrolled last year in the program and has seen her drug prices decrease dramatically.

“I was kind of skeptical. But now that I’m on it, it’s the best plan that they have come up with in years and I wish everyone could get involved in it or would get involved in it, because it will help them just like it helped me,” said Kennedy.

To listen to podcast episodes or to view the Top Ten list, visit http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/. Coming up in future episodes, Senator Dole will discuss important things seniors should consider when choosing a plan. For more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage, beneficiaries should log onto http://www.medicare.gov/, the official CMS Web site, or call the CMS hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE.

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 many of the health care, Social Security and Medicare debates. During his leadership, he also worked to save Social Security in 1983.

Senator Dole’s nationwide speaking tour, from which this podcast is derived, is sponsored by Pfizer Inc.

Bob Dole on Medicare

CONTACT: Scott Shadiow, +1-317-432-9210, for the Bob Dole on MedicareCampaign

Web site: http://www.bobdoleonmedicare.com/http://www.medicare.gov/