Kennedy, Colleagues Call For Medicare Extension For Massachusetts Flooding Victims
KENNEDY, COLLEAGUES CALL FOR MEDICARE EXTENSION FOR MASSACHUSETTS FLOODING VICTIMS
Prescription drug deadline looms today while Massachusetts seniors face flooding
Washington, DCToday, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, joined by his colleagues in the Massachusetts delegation, sent the following letter to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mark McClellan, calling for an extension for Massachusetts seniors who are affected by the flooding in New England. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney yesterday declared Massachusetts in a state of emergency. Many homes and businesses have been evacuated across the Commonwealth, making it nearly impossible for seniors who have not yet enrolled in a drug plan to do so today.
Kennedy, who has previously urged the Administration to abandon today's arbitrary deadline, believes that America's seniors and their continued confusion in signing up for a plan should be addressed before penalties are issued. Part D, as the Medicare prescription drug program is called, has been under intense scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats as the Administration has toured the country touting its benefits and trying to overcome perceptions that the program is too complicated and complex for seniors to understand and navigate.
The text of the letter sent to Dr. Mark McClellan from the entire Massachusetts delegation is below.
May 15, 2006
The Honorable Mark McClellan Administrator Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20201
Dear Mark:
We are writing to urge you to extend today's Medicare Part D deadline for Massachusetts residents. Governor Romney declared a state of emergency over the weekend after much of the state was flooded due to record breaking rainfall. Many residents have been evacuated from their homes, roads are flooded, and schools and businesses are closed.
Many Medicare beneficiaries have either been evacuated to shelters or are without power in their homes. They will be unable to get to the post office or to meet with counselors to discuss options for Medicare Drug plans. It is unfair to penalize these seniors because of a natural disaster.
We therefore urge you to extend the Part D enrollment deadline for Massachusetts residents who have been impacted by this storm and the resulting flooding.
Sincerely,
http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/06/05/2006515756.html