Seniors Need More Time To Enroll in RX Program

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson wants the federal government to give seniors more time to be able to enroll in the new prescription drug benefit plan.

Nelson said legislation is needed because the new plan is confusing many seniors, and if they don't sign up by May they'll pay substantially higher premiums if they later decide to join the program.

"We have to make sure seniors are not forced into making a detrimental or hasty decision that they may later regret,' said Nelson.

Nelson said he'll introduce legislation, with a number of other senators, to extend the time seniors have to enroll in the plan by six months. The proposal will be filed after the Senate finishes its work on measures aimed at rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Katrina and Rita.

Nelson also said his bill is needed because many seniors who were displaced by the hurricanes don't have permanent addresses and aren't able to receive the materials needed to enroll in the program.

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