Subject: Extend the Medicare Part D Sign-Up Deadline

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to ask you to endorse House Res.585/S. 1841, which would extend the May 15th deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for Part D prescription drug coverage. I am a voter in your district and a retiree member of AFSCME.

As you know, participation in the new prescription drug program is lagging well below projections. That's because Part D is full of complexities and can be very confusing to older and disabled Americans.

It's hard to sort through dozens of plans, all with different premiums, deductibles, co-pays and drug lists. Millions still need more time to make a decision, without the threat of hefty premium penalties for every month they delay (a cumulative total of 7 percent for the remainder of 2006).

With its confusing maze of plans, big gaps in coverage, and high drug prices, Part D is courting disaster. A simpler prescription drug plan provided by Medicare itself and able to use Medicare's enormous buying power to lower drug prices is the obvious answer. But let's not make matters worse by making people pay more for a benefit that already has significant shortcomings.

I hope you'll agree that extending the enrollment deadline and eliminating the penalty is an important step, given the problems that have accompanied the introduction of Medicare Part D. I urge you to endorse House Res.585/S.1841. I also urge you work with your congressional colleagues and the White House to resolve this critical issue.
 

Sincerely,

Your Name