Barbara B. Kennelly, President and CEO
Max Richtman, Executive Vice President
Robert Mahaffey, Executive Director, Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2002

CONTACT: LEE GOLDBERG 202/216-8376

NEW WEBSITE LETS CONSUMERS LOBBY FOR RX BENEFIT Ad Hoc Coalition of Consumer Groups Band Together to Create New Web Advocacy Tool Washington, DC -- The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and a broad array of consumer groups announced today the creation of a new website to petition lawmakers for a Medicare prescription drug benefit. This new site, http://www.fairdrugprices.org/ was unveiled at a Capitol Hill ceremony that included a number of lawmakers, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), just days before the House is expected to vote on a prescription drug bill. "This website is an important reminder that the voters are paying attention and will be heard," Max Richtman, Executive Vice President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare said today. "Petitioning the government is a fundamental right envisioned by the founding fathers. The website is a unique mix between 18th century advocacy and 21st century technology," he said. The new website will ask Congress to provide a prescription drug benefit within the Medicare program that is available to all beneficiaries and adequately funded. Making the benefit in the Medicare program will guarantee a meaningful benefit for seniors, regardless of where they live. It will also enable the federal government to use the buying power of the millions of Medicare consumers to negotiate lower drug prices. The website will also ask Congress to take immediate steps to make drug prices more affordable for everyone who purchases prescription medicines-individual consumers, businesses, and state and local governments. More info available at http://www.fairdrugprices.org/. ###

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better informed citizens and voters. For more information, visit our website at http://www.ncpssm.org/