Statement of the Honorable Tim Bishop
Extend the Drug Benefit Deadline
March 15, 2006

Mr. Speaker, the Medicare drug program is off to a “rocky start” – as President Bush put it yesterday.

Following a dozen town halls I’ve held in my district on the Part D benefit, my constituents remain confused and doubtful that the drug plan will work for them. As a result, many seniors on Long Island have not signed up yet.

Many of those who have chosen a plan are encountering delays in their applications and won’t receive their drug cards until after the May 15th sign-up deadline.

Adding insult to injury, seniors will be penalized with a one percent premium increase for every month after the deadline passes.

This “Bush Medicare Tax” shouldn’t be piled on top of the already overwhelming burden of understanding the drug benefit.

Mr. Speaker, America’s seniors deserve real help keeping up with soaring prescription drug costs. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support a six month extension of the sign- up deadline so that seniors are not punished, and receive the affordable, life-saving drugs they deserve.
 

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