A representative from Third Congressional District Congressman Mike Rogers’ Office made stops in Cherokee County last week to explain the new Prescription Drug Plan which will come into effect in 2006.

Christopher Brinson, Rogers’ chief of staff, made stops at the Senior Center and Community Center in Centre and Cedar Bluff to discuss the Medicare Prescription Drug Card benefits and enrollment for this card beginning May 3.

The Medicare plan begins 2006. In the meantime, seniors have the option of using this new card to help with costs. According to Brinson, the cards will be available to anyone who wants them at a one-time cost of $30, and will result in a savings for Medicare recipients of up to 25 percent on their prescriptions. Low-income Medicare patients and those with catastrophic medicine costs could qualify for free cards or have their first 600 dollars in medicine paid for by the government.

The plan is strictly voluntarily. Medicare recipients should receive information by mail informing them how to sign up for the card