Durbin, Democrats Call on President to Extend Medicare Part D Enrollment Deadline

DURBIN, DEMOCRATS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO EXTEND MEDICARE PART D ENROLLMENT DEADLINE

Addressing hundreds of seniors, health care professionals and advocates, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Congressional Democrats in calling for six-month extension of the Medicare Part D enrolment program. Durbin warned that millions of seniors, including more than 500,000 Illinoisans, who do not sign up for a Medicare drug plan by May 15th will face a penalty and premiums increases unless Congress extends the enrollment deadline. Senator Durbin's statement follows:

"Medicare beneficiaries are stuck with a confusing, costly plan designed by insurance companies and drug companies. Seniors deserve an affordable drug benefit. For now, the Congress should give seniors adequate time to understand their options and make the best choice."

"If you think the drug companies are calling the shots on Capitol Hill, you're absolutely right. Seniors are paying the price because drug companies are pulling the strings in Washington. What other explanation is there for the stubborn refusal by President Bush and Republican leaders in Congress to extend the May 15th enrollment deadline?"

"Millions of seniors are faced with a mountain of prescription drug bills and a growing stack of glitzy brochures from insurance companies looking for new customers. Unless we extend the deadline, seniors in Illinois and across the country who don't sign up by May 16th will be hit with a lifetime penalty that will make their prescriptions more expensive."

"The President is fond of traveling the country, asking seniors to call 1-800-MEDICARE, so let me ask you to also make a couple of phone calls. Call your Senator and Representative and ask them to extend the deadline. Call the White House and tell the President that you need more time. If the IRS is willing to give you an extension on your taxes, the President should do the same on your Medicare drug plan."

"It is time for the President to start listening to America's seniors, not to Washington drug company lobbyists."

In addition to being an original co-sponsor of the Medicare Informed Choice Act, a bill to extend the May 15th enrollment deadline, Durbin is the author of the Medicare Prescription Drugs Savings Act. Durbin's bill would reverse a provision in the Medicare prescription drug law which prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices. The bill instructs the Secretary of HHS to offer a nationwide Medicare-delivered prescription drug benefit and to negotiate group purchasing agreements on behalf of beneficiaries who choose to receive their drugs through the Medicare-administered benefit.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=255403&&