[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TIME RUNNING OUT TO SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE PART D

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Inglis of South Carolina). Under a 
previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine 
Brown) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the 30-
Something Group for their leadership.

                              {time}  2130

  I come to the floor to remind all of the seniors that Monday, May 15, 
is the drop-dead date for signing up for Medicare part D. I am very 
concerned that over 15 million Americans have not signed up.
  Congressman Meek, may I ask you a question? Do you know why Monday, 
May 15, is the drop-dead date to sign up?
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Well, it is set by the legislation passed by the 
Republican majority. And after that, Americans will be penalized.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Americans are going to be 
penalized. I have been elected for 25 years. And this is the first time 
I have ever heard of being penalized until the day you die. I mean, it 
is ludicrous that we, the House of Representatives passed a bill that 
was so complicated and confusing, and gave you a time period of less 
than 5 months to sign up. And then if you do not sign up, you are going 
to be penalized until death.
  I know in Florida we have 41 different plans. And it is very 
confusing. Seniors should have an opportunity to take their time and to 
select a plan that best meets their needs.
  Now, Mr. Meek, do you know why in the law the Secretary does not have 
the authority to negotiate the price of drugs? Do you know why 
Americans pay 50 percent more than people in Canada?
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Well, that was set forth by the Republican 
Congress. Many Democrats on this side, the super majority, voted 
against that measure.
  Furthermore, this Government agency has found that even during this 
5-month period that seniors were given the wrong information from the 
White House, the recommendation to go on those websites and call these 
numbers, the wrong information was given on the plan.
  But better yet, they are still held responsible to this date. That is 
going to happen on Monday. And they will be penalized from this point 
on.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, you know in Florida, we 
have over 1 million people who have not signed up. And nationwide it is 
over 15 million people.
  Now, I do not understand why the President with an executive order 
cannot be Presidential and extend the date or do away with the 
penalties.
  People should not be held accountable for a program that is 
complicated and confusing. I have a cousin that is a Ph.D. graduate 
from the University of Miami, a principal for 30 years, and had to go 
to Social Security to get someone to help and assist to make the right 
decision because it is very, very complicated.
  Mr. Speaker, I am asking seniors, please sign up--but there is no 
reason why this program, a program that is so needed, I voted against 
it because it was bloated, can you imagine, supposedly fiscally 
responsible Republicans coming up with a program that is billions of 
dollars, costing more than it needs to, and the money is going to the 
pharmaceutical companies.
  The money is going to the industry, and not to the people that we 
need to be serving. It is a shame that in this people's House that we 
are not doing the work of the people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am calling on the Members of this body and I am 
calling on the President so we can make it retroactive. Let us not 
punish seniors for our incompetency.

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