Martin Brower was reluctant to enroll in Medicare D(isaster), but he did.  When he went to pick up his rx's, he found out that they would actually cost him more than he had paid w/o Part D!

According to Peter Hebertson, outreach program manager for Salt Lake County Aging Services, the agency has been taking calls and assisting with enrollment questions since Nov. 15 2005. He also is of the opinion that an extension is necessary.

"It would be very beneficial and only fair to extend the deadline some. We were behind at the beginning because of the computer issues with Medicare. We've done a good job getting through to those people. But it's starting to pick up again with the deadline approaching, and we know it will be crazy May 1."

Roger Hickey, codirector of the Campaign for America's Future:

''This drug plan is so complex and has been plagued by so many tragic glitches that most seniors are still scratching their heads.  People should not be penalized for the maddening complexity of the Bush Administration plan."

Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA when predicting that an extension would soon be passed:

''Congress will ultimately do this even though the president and congressional leaders have resisted so far.  They continue that resistance at their peril."

A federal contractor is calling insurers to determine federal compliance re:  the call centers. The data collected so far re: the federal standards were "not met."  CMS stated that information would be disclosed to the public before May 15.  Insurers, claiming the federal standards are too stict, are lobbying against the release of that information.

Brand-name drug companies have resumed the practice of slowing the sale of cheaper generic competitors by cutting deals that result in paying millions of dollars to makers of generic drugs while consumers continue to pay brand-name prices.

According to a report by the Center for Public Integrity, Big Rx has been spending tens of millions of dollars on lobbying, campaign donations and gifts to try to state officials to not  pass laws that would cut into their profits.

Over $44 million lobbying state governments was spent in 2003 and 2004, according to the center.  In addition, over $8 million to state political candidates/groups was spent for meals, golf tournaments and baseball games for some public officials.

There has been one death reported since Medicare D(isaster) took effect.  The Middletown, N.Y., Times Herald-Record, reported that Eddie Rosa who lived alone and suffered from heart disease, diabetes, seizures and other mental and physical conditions.  He died in March as he could no longer afford his rx's and stopped taking them.

Wayne Lindley, director of California's state health insurance counseling program,

"Most of the Medicare issues have just been unanticipated call volume or computers that don't talk to each other, but this is an actual error."

Stephen Schwartz, organizer for Wisconsin Citizen Action

"We are opposed to the way it was passed in the House, and the way it was written by drug companies and insurance companies, and the way it left some seniors out.  It doesn't need to be scrapped wholesale, but Congress really needs to take a step back. There are some major weaknesses in the program."

Reports of some of the outcomes Medicare D(isaster)plans that made light of the earlier and ongoing problems w/it were best summed up best by Marilyn Nemeth:

"Mainly, I want to find out what they are telling us.  The stuff that we read really doesn't jibe with what's really happening.  This is an important issue and we've got to have something done."

The New York Times reported in March, "If things play out the way some big insurers hope, the drug program could prove to be a feeder system into much greater private presence in Medicare - a long-standing goal of the Bush administration."

There are 1,400 plans from 50 insurance companies, working closely with drug companies, and making substantial profits from Part D.

The New York Times reported in March, "If things play out the way some big insurers hope, the drug program could prove to be a feeder system into much greater private presence in Medicare - a long-standing goal of the Bush administration."

And,
According to Saul Friedman of Newsday,

"Part D is not a Medicare benefit, and cutting Medicare out of the picture is what keeps drug and coverage prices high.

One Reason For Not Extending Enrollment

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the deadline through December would bring in 1 million more enrollees. But the government would forfeit $100 million in late fees this year, which would grow to $3.4 billion over 10 years.

Will Late Penalties Be Waived?

 Part D is another example of the results of a policy implemented by a government that is uninterested in governing.  Those who were appointed to positions to oversee Part D took no personal responsibility for its implementation.

(Also info on Charles Grassley's campaign contributions included.)
Deadline Info From Around The Country and UPDATE

A bipartisan bill was announced earlier today that would waive penalties for late enrolles to Part D. People would be allowed to enroll for 2007 without paying any penalty. The legislation was sponsored by Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn. is working w/colleagues in the House to introduce similar legislation.

Donut Hole Hitting Some NOW!

If Congress had premitted Medicare to negotiate for the best price of prescriptions, the savings would allow for prescription coverage with no interruptions.  Another problem is the insistence on the donut hole in the Part D legislation.

Juliette Cubanski, of the Kaiser Family Foundation,

"[The donut hole] is not something we've ever seen in any other insurance product that I'm aware of."

And, for additional lte/congresscritter contacts, the first three requests are also included.

First Request And Collection Of Diaries w/links to quotes.

Second Request And Collection Of Diaries w/links to quotes

Third Request And Collection Of Diaries w/links to quotes.

Thank you again.