Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Need to Extend the Deadline for Enrollment in the Medicare
Part D Prescription Drug Program
Listen
to what I have said on Medicare Part D
May 10, 2006
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold made the following
statement today regarding the need to extend the May 15th enrollment
deadline for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Without
extending the deadline, many seniors could face stiff penalties.
“On May 15th, time will run out for seniors to enroll in
the Medicare Part D program without stiff penalties. That day, millions
of our nation’s seniors must be enrolled or they will be given
a permanent, monthly premium increase. Since the start of the new Medicare
Part D program, Wisconsinites have been telling me how tough the enrollment
process is to figure out. Congress needs to extend the May 15 deadline
to give seniors extra time to navigate through this confusing system.
That is why I cosponsored the Medicare Informed Choice Act -- so our
seniors won’t have to make rushed decisions when it comes to their
health. The bill would also allow a one time change of programs for
beneficiaries who find themselves in the wrong prescription drug program
for them. I am committed to making sure we do all that we can to give
seniors access to affordable prescription drugs, which means fixing
the problems with the Part D program.”
For questions about Medicare Part D or Medicare drug plans, seniors
may contact any of the following:
· The Medicare program at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or
www.medicare.gov/.
· Wisconsin Prescription Drug Helpline at 1-866-456-8211 for
Medicare beneficiaries age 60 and older with questions about Medicare
Part D. This Helpline is sponsored by the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging
Groups’ Elder Law Center.
· Disability Drug Benefit Helpline at 1-800-926-4862 for persons
under age 60 who receive Medicare coverage due to a disability. This
Helpline is sponsored by the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy.
· Your County Department on Aging if you are age 60 and older
and you would like to speak to an elderly benefit specialist.
Fact Sheet from Senator Russ Feingold
Feingold Works for Good, Affordable Health Care
for all Americans
Working to Ensure Seniors Can Afford the Prescription Drugs
They Need
Feingold opposed the flawed Medicare Part D prescription drug program
and is committed to fixing it to better serve seniors and other Medicare
beneficiaries. Feingold cosponsored S. 1841, the Medicare Informed Choice
Act, which allows beneficiaries extra time to navigate the new and often
confusing Medicare system by extending the deadline for enrollment through
the end of 2006, and reduces the stiff penalties seniors face for switching
drug plans or late enrollment. Feingold has also sponsored S.239 to
permit Medicare to negotiate lower prices with drug companies, and S.334
to allow the reimportation of cheaper FDA-approved medicines.
Helping Small Businesses Afford the Costs of Health Care
Senator Feingold opposes S.1955, a bill that would harm states’
ability to regulate insurance and further splinter the health insurance
market. Feingold has sponsored bipartisan legislation with Senator Susan
Collins (R-ME) called the Health Care Purchasing Cooperatives Act that
would help small businesses buy cheaper insurance. The Feingold/Collins
bill would give grants to businesses that want to form health care purchasing
cooperatives without preempting the authority of states to regulate
health insurance.
Making Sure Health Care is a Priority for Congress
Feingold is working to make Congress address the need for fundamental
health care reform. He has sponsored bipartisan legislation with Senator
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to force Congress to consider health care reform
legislation. Any reform Congress considered under this bill would have
to provide health coverage for at least 95 percent of Americans in ten
years, without increasing the national deficit. The Feingold-Graham
bill requires quick action by Congress on fundamental health care reform
without dictating which type of reform should be enacted.
Moving Towards Universal Health Care
The current health care system is broken. Almost 46 million Americans
are uninsured – including 8 million children – and countless
others are underinsured. Feingold supports a state-based, American-style
approach to health care reform, where each state, with the federal government's
help and approval, ensures that all of its residents have health care
coverage.
Improving Health Care for Americans
Senator Feingold has long worked to improve health care services and
access in the United States. He has led efforts to make home health
care, dental care, HIV/AIDS treatments, and Automated External Defibrillators
(AEDs) more accessible to all Americans. He has also worked hard to
address health care provider shortages, including those for nurses and
other skilled workers.
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