Hilda L. Solis: “America's seniors are looking for some relief with the high cost of prescription drugs. The vast majority of seniors…”

“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. ____________________”