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Medicare Drug Seminars

I will be hosting three seminars this week for senior citizens to gather additional information on the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

This is a very important opportunity for seniors, particularly those who do not have a prescription drug benefit, to obtain one through Medicare. I want to make sure that seniors, first, get all the information they need to make a decision; second, that seniors understand they have choices and options and need to make a decision that fits their personal needs.

The seminars will be held on Friday, December 2, in Harrisburg, Effingham, and Carlyle. The exact times and places are:

9:30 a.m. – Golden Circle Senior Center, 901 South Commercial Street, Harrisburg;

1:00 p.m. – St. Anthony’s Hospital Auditorium, 503 North Maple Street, Effingham;

4:00 p.m. – VFW, 1250 Franklin Street, Carlyle.

While November 15 was the first date that seniors could sign up, they have until December 31 to sign up for benefits that begin January 1, 2006 – the first date possible. Seniors currently on Medicare actually have until May 15, 2006, to make their choice.

Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) staff will make the detailed presentation on the prescription drug options available to seniors. This will not be a sign-up opportunity; it is just another informational seminar intended to give area seniors the most opportunities to get answers to their questions.

There are numerous plans available to seniors in Illinois, and I’m sure there are sill many seniors with questions. I hope that they will attend on December 2.

If you are unable to attend these seminars and have questions, please visit the Illinois SHIP website, http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Ship/ship_help.asp. Also, I will be adding updates on future seminars on my website, http://www.house.gov/shimkus.

Thank you for the interest in my newsletter! Remember to tell your friends about it as well--they can sign up on my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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