Congresswoman Solís will talk about the President’s prescription drug tax that seniors will soon face if they do not sign up for his confusing prescription drug program, and Democratic plans to increase the amount of time seniors have to sign up.

The sound of Congresswoman Solís' address can be obtained through your local Univisión Radio affiliates, Radio Fórmula, Radiovisa, Radio Bilingüe, Latino Broadcasting Corporation affiliates, or CNN en Español after 11:06 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, March 18, 2006.

The embargoed sound can also be obtained at: http://democraticleader.house.gov/audio/spanish031806.mp3 in MP3 format.

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English translation

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Democratic Hispanic Radio Address

Congresswoman Hilda L. Solís

Air Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006

“Good morning. I am Congresswoman Hilda Solis from California.

“Right now, seniors across the country are frustrated by President Bush’s confusing prescription drug program. This program was written by and for drug companies – not America’s seniors. On top of all its complications, the President’s plan penalizes seniors by forcing them to pick a drug plan before May 15th or else pay the Bush prescription drug tax for the rest of their lives.

“Democrats have always supported a real Medicare prescription drug plan that provides high-quality, affordable prescription drugs to all our seniors. Unfortunately, Republicans decided to support the special interests and the pharmaceutical industry over the well being of our seniors.

“The President’s plan started this year, and it has already left many seniors across the country struggling to get their needed prescriptions. They have also faced long delays and have been over-charged due to the flawed implementation of this confusing program. The Republican plan explicitly prevents the government from negotiating for lower prices on behalf of seniors. It does not make sense to add millions of dollars to the deficit when we could cut costs by allowing the government to negotiate for lower prices, and provide a real benefit in a fiscally responsible way.

“Democrats know that seniors need more time to learn about their options before making this crucial health and financial decision. We have offered legislation to extend the drug plan enrollment period and eliminate the Bush prescription drug tax through December 2006.

“Together, America can and must do better than Bush’s prescription drug plan that puts drug company profits before America’s health.

“Democrats are fighting for a Medicare prescription drug program that requires Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices, closes the ‘doughnut hole’ gap in coverage, and allows for the reimportation of safe, cheaper prescription drugs. We will not stop working towards these goals until our community’s seniors can retire with the dignity and the quality health care that they worked so hard to earn. With 2.9 million Hispanics enrolled in Medicare, Latino seniors deserve no less.

“I am Congresswoman Hilda Solís from California. Thank you for listening.”