Medicare Changes Encourage Life-Saving Preventative Care

MEDICARE CHANGES ENCOURAGE LIFE-SAVING PREVENTATIVE CARE -- (House of Representatives - April 27, 2004)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last year President Bush signed into law historic bipartisan legislation that adds critically needed benefits to Medicare and solidifies the program for future generations.

I have been traveling throughout the Second District of South Carolina to discuss these changes, and the seniors I talk to are enthusiastic to learn that for the first time Medicare will encourage preventative care.

First and foremost, the new prescription drug benefit will allow seniors to afford the medicine they need to prevent disease.

Yet, while the prescription drug benefit has been widely publicized, many seniors are unaware of other important preventative measures now available to them. All newly enrolled beneficiaries will be covered for physicals, cardiovascular-screening blood tests including cholesterol, and diabetes screening for at-risk beneficiaries. These benefits do not have deductibles or co-pays, to make sure there are no hurdles for seniors with limited resources.

These screenings will catch treatable, manageable conditions that otherwise would result in senior health consequences, preventing a healthy and happy retirement.

In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.