Arlington, VA–Jim Martin, President of the 60 Plus Association, praised the advertising campaign of the Bush Administration to inform the public about the provisions of the recently enacted Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

Rejecting criticism by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Martin said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was providing a public service to help seniors understand the provisions of the new law.

“I’ve seen both the transcript and the actual video of the television announcements and they are honest and straight forward. These ads counter the misinformation that is being put out by the opponents of Medicare reform,” Martin said.

He said it was important for seniors to understand exactly how the new law will operate with the drug discount cards this year, with new preventative and screening benefits in 2005, with the prescription drug plan in 2006, and with more choices in coverages when the measure is fully implemented.

“This new law is a godsend for those seniors without prescription drug coverage, especially low-income seniors. And it will be highly beneficial in many ways for all seniors. It is definitely useful for the Bush Administration to let the public know how this law will work, ” Martin said.

“I respect NTU’s right to be against Medicare reform, but now that it is law, I wish they’d try to be constructive in finding ways to further improve it for the benefit of seniors, ” he said.

–30–