Seniors need Medicare without headaches!

Dear Represenative,

I urge you to sign the discharge petition to bring the Medicare prescription drug reform bill (HR 752 - Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2005) to a vote, and for you to support this important measure to simplify the drug benefit for seniors and save taxpayers significant amounts of money. If you already signed the petition, let me thank you in advance.

As you are surely aware, the Medicare drug benefit is extremely confusing for seniors, due to the scores of private plans from which they must choose. Seniors--many without Internet access--must research a dizzying array of deductibles and coverage lists to see if the drugs they take will be paid for. What's worse, they may have to face another round of difficult choices this fall, when drug plans can change their premiums, co-pays and even pharmacies. And experts predict that some drug plans may drop out or merge with others, leaving many seniors to shop again for a plan.

HR 752 will help make the Medicare drug benefit much simpler by offering an alternative--a Medicare-operated drug plan that will have predictable premiums, co-pays and a dependable list of covered drugs. By offering a Medicare drug plan in addition to the private plans, seniors will have the peace of mind of stable coverage like that they have enjoyed in the Medicare hospital and doctor program.

During this time of budget deficits, HR 752 also will save taxpayers significant amounts of money by allowing Medicare to negotiate discounts on prescription drugs. Harnessing the government's purchasing power to lower costs for our nation's seniors makes perfect sense--the Department of Veterans Affairs currently does so for its beneficiaries, saving up to half the retail cost of medicines. Why wouldn't Congress try to get the best deal on prescription drugs for seniors and taxpayers too?

Please sign the discharge petition to bring HR 752 to a vote, and support passage of this important health-care measure for our nation's seniors.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address]