Emanuel, Schakowsky, Lipinski, Davis, Durbin Mark Medicare Rx Deadline for Millions of Seniors, Call on Congress to Pass Medicare Prescription...

Emanuel, Schakowsky, Lipinski, Davis, Durbin Mark Medicare Rx Deadline for Millions of Seniors, Call on Congress to Pass Medicare Prescription Drugs Savings and Choice Act

Today marks the deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in the Administration's Medicare prescription drug benefit without being penalized. Senator Dick Durbin, and Representatives Rahm Emanuel, Jan Schakowsky, Danny Davis, Dan Lipinski, and seniors and advocates held a press conference to discuss ways to improve the prescription drug benefit so that both seniors and taxpayers receive a fair deal.

"Today marks the official deadline for enrollment into the Bush Administration's Medicare Prescription drug plan, yet millions of beneficiaries have not yet enrolled. And as a result, millions of seniors will be needlessly taxed for a benefit plan that seems to only benefits drug companies and HMOs," said Emanuel. "As the deadline comes and goes, it is now more important than ever that we improve the program. We must allow Medicare to directly negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices, saving billions for seniors and taxpayers."

"Because President Bush and Congressional Republicans stubbornly refused to extend the arbitrary enrollment deadline, one million beneficiaries will be denied coverage this year and millions will have to pay financial penalties that will increase throughout their lifetimes. With a benefit that was constructed by and for the drug companies, all beneficiaries continue to pay unnecessarily high prices under their plans. We must now fix Part D by creating a uniform benefit that requires Medicare to negotiate with the drug companies for lower prices, like the VA does," said Schakowsky.

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http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/PressRelease_5_15_06_ILMedicare.html