News Release

Americans Can Help Each Other Learn About the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

30-Second TV Ad Begins Airing Today

A new advertisement about the Medicare prescription drug benefit began airing today on national network and cable programs. The television ad is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and builds upon efforts to educate people with Medicare and their families before coverage enrollment begins Nov. 15, 2005.

“Americans’ willingness to help each other is one of our defining and finest qualities. We are going to tap into this spirit with our outreach activities,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “Almost every American knows a Medicare beneficiary -- we are asking people to talk to beneficiaries, to help them sign up and gain the peace of mind that Medicare will cover the prescription drugs needed to stay healthy.”

The 30-second television ad highlights how Americans help each other every day in a variety of ways, and encourages a similar approach when making choices concerning prescription drug coverage. Visual images include two teammates helping a third off the playing field, a woman giving directions to a lost driver, a man helping a woman carry a stroller up a flight of stairs and a family discussing Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage in their dining room. An announcer notes, “Everyone who is eligible for Medicare can be covered for the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. But all of us should learn more about it.” The ad concludes by encouraging viewers to learn more by calling 1-800-Medicare, or visiting www.medicare.gov.

“This is the most important new benefit in Medicare in 40 years, as Medicare is moving from simply paying the bills when something goes wrong to helping you pay for the drugs you need to head off the costly complications of diseases,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. “You can get information now about what the new voluntary drug coverage means for you and for someone you care about, and you can get additional personalized information in the fall. This personalized help is available anytime at 1-800-MEDICARE or at www.medicare.gov, and you can also find out about places to go in your area for face-to-face assistance.”

Added Secretary Leavitt, “We are making sure there are many places people with Medicare can get personalized help. HHS officials are helping to educate partners across the country so beneficiaries can have access to experts in their own communities as well as the resources available nationally through our toll-free number and Web site.”

The first television ad will run through early September on national network and cable programs. The cost of this initial network and cable ad buy is about $1.5 million. The television ad will be followed by advertising in print publications, on radio, through the Internet, as well as a Spanish-language campaign.

“Help Each other” Television Ad Script