Jon L. Christensen: “say it isn't so. House Republicans are ready to penalize millions of American seniors who did not sign up for a…”

“say it isn't so. House Republicans are ready to penalize millions of American seniors who did not sign up for a prescription drug plan by that arbitrary May 15 deadline. Congress should have extended that deadline to give seniors more time to pick the right plan for both their health and their pocketbook. House Republicans expected seniors to choose a plan by May 15 even though they knew seniors were receiving incomplete and incorrect information from the Bush administration. An investigation by GAO concluded that the CMS was giving out wrong information to seniors 60 percent of the time. You would think that Washington Republicans would not start penalizing seniors with the Bush prescription drug tax until the administration began giving out accurate information. But no, they chose instead to force seniors into a plan by midnight on May 15 or face the Bush prescription drug tax that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. House Republicans and the President who the Congressional Black Caucus called on had a chance to help seniors and they didn't. Congress should have extended the deadline to give seniors more time. They still can. I call on them to do so. Bring the Congressional Black Caucus bill to the floor and pass it. ____________________”