The idea is that anyone moving from DPAP to [the Medicare prescription drug plan] should not be any less off,

Every Medicare beneficiary can choose whether they want prescription drug coverage or not,

If Congress will pass a plan that gives real, voluntary Medicare prescription drug coverage ... then I will sign a marriage penalty relief law,

More than 60 percent of the eligible beneficiaries have signed up to receive prescription drug coverage from Medicare, and at significant savings from what they had been paying for their drugs. In the past month alone, about 380,000 Americans signed up each week. Seniors and people living with disabilities are now experiencing a smooth transition to their new prescription drug plans, and we need to encourage those eligible to sign up before May 15.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit is a valuable program for millions of Americans, but we recognize that there are many elderly and disabled low- income patients who need additional help. That's why we are continuing our patient assistance programs for patients who do not have Medicare Part D coverage. Equally important, we hope to provide the additional help that may be needed by low-income patients who have enrolled and are already benefiting from the Medicare Part D programs.

This is what happens when you privatize Medicare. The Medicare prescription drug benefit is a massive giveaway to pharmaceutical companies, creating disastrous health effects for the nation's poor and elderly citizens.