[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NEED TO EXTEND RX DRUG DEADLINE

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, America's seniors are looking for some 
relief with the high cost of prescription drugs. The vast majority of 
seniors remain skeptical that the new Republican prescription drug plan 
will work for them, and therefore, many have not signed up and refuse 
to.
  Congressional Republicans and the Bush administration did not only 
make this plan confusing to understand, but they also included a 
provision that will financially penalize seniors if they don't sign up 
for the plan by May 15. While most Democrats would rather replace the 
plan for a simpler one within the Medicare system, we do not want to 
see seniors penalized any further.
  Without a deadline extension, seniors will encounter a 1 percent 
increase on their premiums for every month after they wait to sign up 
after the May 15 deadline. Since seniors would not be able to begin 
coverage after the deadline until January of next year, seniors would 
encounter a 7 percent Bush Medicare tax that would stay with them the 
rest of their lives.
  This is simply not fair. Seniors are already having to pay enough for 
their prescription drugs. Mr. President, you have 2 months to change 
your mind. Don't punish our seniors, Mr. President.

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