Families USA has launched a nationwide senior awareness campaign about the new Medicare prescription drug law. ANA opposed the measure because it seriously jeopardizes the basic principles of the original Medicare program of being a broad-based, reliable social-insurance program that is available to all eligible individuals regardless of income. The new law also includes wide gaps in drug benefit coverage and specifically prohibits the federal government from negotiating with drug makers for discount prices for seniors.

    The launch of the campaign featured the premiere showing of a new Families USA video, hosted by Walter Cronkite. The video was produced to help seniors understand the new Medicare law and includes seniors talking candidly about the difficult time they've had finding the drugs they need at prices they can afford and how they expect the drug overage offered by the new Medicare law will affect their out-of-pocket drug costs.

    The first wave of the Medicare Road Show educational forums will take place in more than 20 cities across the U.S. during the months of March, April, and May. At the same time, approximately 10,000 copies of the Cronkite video will be distributed to senior centers, retirement communities, and disability organizations across the country.