Legislation covers ALL of Mississippi's seniors, with 55% of them having no co-pays, no deductibles--and only $2 to $5 per prescription.

(Washington, D.C.)-On Thursday, June 27, Third District Congressman Chip Pickering will vote for legislation in the House of Representatives that provides historic improvements to Medicare including more funding to health care providers and providing a Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors. The Medicare prescription drug benefit included in the bill is a voluntary plan that covers ALL of Mississippi's seniors with 55% of them having no co-pays or deductibles and only $2 to $5 per prescription.

Congressman Pickering stated, "This bill to strengthen Medicare with more funding to health care providers and offering a Medicare prescription drug benefit to seniors is truly historic legislation. For too long, the issue of providing a prescription medicine benefit has been used as a political football but finally, Congress is putting seniors first and focusing on doing what is right to help them have better access to affordable prescription drugs. I'm very pleased that this legislation provides full coverage for more than half of all Mississippians on Medicare. That means real savings and an improved quality of life for thousands of our seniors."

The legislation, H.R. 4954, is called the 'Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002'. Congressman Pickering is a co-sponsor of this bill to improve health care for America's seniors. The bill is scheduled to be voted on tonight in the House. The bill includes the following provisions to strengthen Medicare and provide a prescription drug benefit:

Prescription Drug Benefit under Medicare--

· $33 monthly premium
· $250 annual deductible
· Once annual out-of-pocket expenses reach $3700, Medicare pays 100% of all costs.

Benefits for seniors on fixed income include-

· No premium or deductible for seniors living alone and making less than $13,290. They only pay $2 to $5 per prescription.

· No premium or deductible for a senior couple that makes less than $17,910. They only pay $2 to $5 per prescription.

Strengthening our health care providers by-

· Eliminating the 15% scheduled 15% reduction in payments to home health care agencies and increasing the funding to them so they can adequately care for seniors.

· Fixing the current problems with the physician payment formula so that Medicare does not cut payments to physicians who are taking care of patients.

· Increasing Medicare funding to hospitals, especially rural hospitals so seniors in rural areas have access to quality care close to home.