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Stabenow Seeks Time for Seniors: Medicare's Drug Plan Baffles Users

Posted on: Thursday, 20 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Katie Merx, Detroit Free Press

Apr. 20--With less than a month before the planned Medicare drug program enrollment cutoff, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., joined Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., and several advocacy groups to push the federal government to give seniors and disabled people more time to sign up.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced this month that it will allow some very low-income Medicare beneficiaries additional time to enroll without financial penalty. But Stabenow and others say all Medicare beneficiaries need more time because the new program -- administered by a variety of private insurance companies -- is too confusing.

Stabenow and Stark are among 48 congressional leaders who sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt on Wednesday asking him to extend the time seniors and disabled people have to choose drug plans that fit their budgets and needs.

"People are very concerned about the long-term implications," said Stabenow, who said her offices' phone lines are inundated with complaints from Michiganders frustrated and confused by the new prescription drug plan.

As it stands, Medicare beneficiaries must enroll in a prescription drug program by May 15 or wait until November to enroll for benefits beginning in 2007. The longer they wait to enroll, the higher the premium they'll pay each month.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Detroit Free Press

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Source: Detroit Free Press

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