Medicare Deadline Should be Extended for All Beneficiaries, DeLauro Tells Administration

Medicare Deadline Should be Extended for All Beneficiaries, DeLauro Tells Administration

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today said the May 15 deadline for enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program, also known as Part D, should be extended for all beneficiaries. Earlier this week, the Bush administration announced it had extended the enrollment period for some low-income beneficiaries. This decision could affect 2 million people whose incomes are below 150 percent of the poverty level, which is $14,355 for an older person who lives alone, $19,245 for a couple.

"If the administration has the power to delay the enrollment deadline for low-income seniors, it should have the authority to delay this deadline for all beneficiaries regardless of income," said DeLauro. "This program has met with wide-spread confusion by seniors who are not certain which plan works best for their needs. With 44 plans to chose from in Connecticut and the threat of getting locked in to a plan that could drop your prescription drug coverage with no warning, these beneficiaries need more time to decide which plan is right for them.

"I urge the administration to extend the deadline to enroll in the Medicare prescription drug program for all beneficiaries. If the administration does not have this authority, Congress can give it to them. Several bills proposed by House Democrats would do just that."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/April/deadline_extension_4_20_06.html