Ben Cardin: “I must tell you that I agree and have been talking to my seniors that they need to, and I quote, ``review carefully all…”

“I must tell you that I agree and have been talking to my seniors that they need to, and I quote, ``review carefully all the options that are available to them and determine whether enrollment in a Medicare prescription drug plan best meets their needs.'' I have had over 30 town hall meetings since this bill has been enacted, and at these meetings I have had people from our Office on Aging to help seniors go through the different options to make a decision whether they need or they don't need to join a plan and which plan they should join. But, Mr. Speaker, the problem is, the information that was made available to them when this bill was passed was wrong. The information is extremely confusing. In my State we have 47 or 48 different plans with deductibles that range by great numbers, and it is very difficult for my constituents to understand this bill. I have gotten e-mails from people in Maryland who tell me the bill is very confusing, and they should at least be allowed more time to make a decision. I got e-mails saying that this one constituent is going to make a decision, but he is not sure whether it is right or wrong because he needed more time and he doesn't have that time. So, Mr. Speaker, yes, we want our constituents to make the right decision, and we urge them to focus in on making the right decision, but it is absolutely wrong that we are not extending the May 15 deadline.…”