The U.S. Department of Education is participating in the national effort to highlight the availability of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Bush education officials are partnering with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration to help eligible recipients choose and enroll in the best prescription drug program that meets their needs.

Medicare is a critical safety net for Americans with disabilities. Millions of Americans with developmental and physical disabilities, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS count on Medicare. Medicare's new prescription drug coverage brings them secure coverage and modern medicine. Medicare recipients are eligible to receive Medicare prescription drug coverage with no premiums, deductibles, or gaps in coverage. On average, Medicare will pay for more than 95 percent of the prescription drug costs for those who qualify.

"For the first time, America's seniors have the opportunity to receive prescription drug coverage under Medicare, and we want to ensure everyone who qualifies is signed up to receive this important new benefit," said Secretary Margaret Spellings. "Under the President's plan, seniors and individuals with disabilities are now eligible for unprecedented financial assistance to buy the medicine they need for a healthy life and more hopeful future."

The Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides grant funds to States to build their capacity to improve the independence and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. RSA's mission to improve opportunities for people with disabilities to gain and maintain employment is closely related to efforts to assist such individuals in choosing the right Medicare Prescription Drug benefit that meets their individual needs.

Fact sheets with more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage are available at: http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/medicare/fact-sheet.pdf and http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/medicare/qs-and-as.pdf.

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