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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2002

CONTACT: LEE GOLDBERG 202/216-8376

SENIORS MUST CONTINUE TO WORK FOR MEANINGFUL MEDICARE RX BENEFIT Washington, D.C. -- "We applaud the efforts of lawmakers actively working to craft a prescription drug benefit. This is a complex issue and the Senate leadership has worked tirelessly to arrive at a fiscally responsible solution that also provides some measure of financial relief to seniors. We are disappointed that efforts to fulfill the campaign pledges made to seniors and their families two years ago have failed," Barbara B. Kennelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare said today. "The current stalemate in Congress means that seniors will continue to go to the pharmacy empty handed, without the Medicare program to ensure that their prescription drugs are affordable. Over the last two years, Congress has failed to forge a compromise. The issue will now be in the hands of the voters," Mrs. Kennelly said. "This week's action makes it necessary for seniors to continue to lobby their elected officials for what they were promised: a comprehensive, affordable prescription drug benefit that is part of the Medicare program," she said. The National Committee supports proposals to provide a comprehensive drug benefit as part of the traditional Medicare program, not through private insurance carriers. "Seniors want some measure of certainty when it comes to prescription drugs, both in terms of cost-sharing and actual benefits. The only way to do that is to provide a benefit that is part of the Medicare program," Mrs. Kennelly said. "That is the type of coverage that most working Americans currently enjoy and expect when they retire," she said. 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.