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News Release

Statement by Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services
On House Passage of Bipartisan Medicare Legislation

I commend the House for approving landmark, bipartisan legislation that will for the first time include a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, while providing more choices and better health benefits to America's seniors.

After years of waiting, 40 million seniors are on the verge of benefiting from a Medicare program that will deliver modern medicine in a modern way. That includes a prescription drug benefit, more access to preventive health care such as cancer screenings, and new investments in rural health care that will mean greater access to hospitals, health professionals and other medical services for rural seniors.

Members of the House boldly delivered on a promise to create a modern Medicare for modern seniors. I look forward to working with the Senate in the coming days to send this historic legislation to President Bush.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: November 24, 2003