Enrollment continues through May 15, 2006.

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Department of Health and Human Services:

WHO: HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt

WHEN: Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Secretary Leavitt arrives at 11:30 a.
"One of the starting points for this important educational effort is a
national television ad campaign that encourages beneficiaries and their
caregivers to learn more about the Medicare prescription drug benefit and the
value it can bring to them.

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HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt Visits Sioux Falls to Raise Awareness About Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

respected premiums

The drug
plans are available in all parts of the country, and cover brand name and
generic drugs.
"AHIP is pleased to join with other organizations in the Medicare Rx
Education Network to inform beneficiaries and their caregivers about this
coming improvement in benefits.org/redirect/missing.wmv. The network is
chaired by former U.

panacea premiums

To view the ad, see
http://www.ahip.

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S.m.

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Senator John Breaux.

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(Logo: http://www .

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"Working together, we can strengthen Medicare for all Americans.

preventive informed

Media Advisory for Wednesday, April 5, 2006

WASHINGTON, The following is being issued by the
U. AHIP thanks its partners in the development of
the ad -- the National Association of Chain Drug Stores , the U.

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"

Ignagni said the initial television ad would run for six weeks on national
networks and cable.S.

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They will need to make a decision about
signing up for Medicare's new prescription drug coverage by and
President Bush has launched a nationwide outreach effort to help them to make
an informed decision.S. Chamber of
Commerce, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and the Blue Cross
Blue Shield Association -- as well as the participants in the Network that
have supported or endorsed the campaign.

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Representing a wide range of constituencies,
the members of the Network recognize the importance of working together on the
new prescription drug program, and we all agree that the ultimate success of
the program depends on seniors and people with disabilities understanding the
choices available to them.

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m.

WHERE: Center for Active Generations
2300 West 46th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 333-3300

CONTACT: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

BACKGROUND:
Starting in January, prescription drug coverage is available to all
Americans with Medicare.

AHIP Joins Medicare Rx Education Network

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Prescriptions can be obtained from neighborhood pharmacies and
through mail order. More than 27 million Medicare beneficiaries have signed up
for this new benefit so far .

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All Medicare beneficiaries have a choice of plans, so they can get the
coverage that best meets their needs.newscom.

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Ignagni Lauds Cooperative Effort for Public Education on Medicare Rx

WASHINGTON, America's Health Insurance Plans
(AHIP) has joined the Medicare Rx Education Network, a new group comprising
more than 40 national organizations that will coordinate activities and share
resources in disseminating information to the public about the new Medicare
prescription drug coverage.

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Note: Media should arrive by 11:15 a.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
AHIP president and CEO Karen Ignagni offered comments on the formation of
the network at the press conference earlier today:

"Since its inception, Medicare has covered hospital and physicians
services.

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Every person with Medicare -- no matter how they get
their health care today or whether they have existing drug coverage -- is
eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan.

While many seniors have coverage for prescriptions available
through Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, the addition of a broad-based
prescription drug benefit is the most significant change in Medicare since the
program's inception.

Member organizations of the Medicare Rx Education Network represent
seniors, patients, people with chronic diseases and/or disabilities,
pharmacists, insurers, healthcare providers and businesses.