[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 55 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MEDICARE PART D DEADLINE

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to call 
attention to the May 15 deadline for seniors to enroll in the Medicare 
part D prescription drug plan. The fact is, seniors who are eligible 
for Medicare part D who do not sign up by May 15 will face a higher 
monthly premium if they enroll at a later time. This puts a lot of 
pressure on the seniors.
  I had a town hall meeting and lots of seniors came. Most of them knew 
nothing about how to do it or did not understand it.
  But, seniors, as hard as we have tried, we cannot extend this 
deadline beyond May 15. There are nearly 48,000 residents aged 65 and 
older in Dallas, Texas. Not that many came to the town hall, but quite 
a few. I am concerned that they are not getting the message.
  Missing May 15 may have expensive consequences. We would like to have 
a bit more compassion. America's health is about more than just numbers 
on an insurance company's roll book.

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