Everyday my office receives phone calls from seniors who are disappointed, confused, and angry with the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.  The State of Florida had to step in to prevent 70,000 seniors in Florida from losing their prescription drug coverage.  And hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries across the country have been unable to get their needed prescriptions, have faced outrageous delays, and have been overcharged when they pick up their medications.

The Medicare Part D legislation was written to favor drug companies and plan providers over patients.  Had it been written with you, the consumer, in mind it wouldn't prohibit Medicare from negotiating lower prescription prices on behalf of America's seniors and plan providers would have to guarantee coverage of patients' drugs for at least a year. 

Here is the most important thing that I want you to remember:

• Even though my Democratic Colleagues and I are fighting to extend the Medicare enrollment deadline, you currently have only until May 15th, 2006 to sign up for a plan.

• If you wait until after May 15th to sign up for a plan - you will face a steep penalty - a "Bush prescription drug tax."

• Those who wait until after the May 15th deadline will face an increase in monthly premiums of one percent for every month past the deadline. 

• Again, this penalty, or as I like to call it, the Bush Prescription Drug tax, goes into effect after May 15, 2006.

• Furthermore - under current law, if you miss the deadline - you cannot enroll until the fall, for coverage starting in January 2007. 

• This means that folks who wait will automatically be subject to a 7 percent minimum penalty for the rest of their lives.

• If you wait a year to select a plan, your monthly premium will be 12 percent a month higher than if you select a plan by May 15^th.  If you wait two years, it is a 24 percent penalty and on and on it goes, each month increasing by one percent.

So, while the deadline for enrolling in a plan is May 15^th, I cannot emphasize how important it is to give yourself enough time to:

.           Check your facts, and, know your options.

I have continually opposed the way this plan was written.  I have had numerous town hall meetings on this issue and I want to help to fix many of the problems that you have shared with me.

Remember, if you need help in deciding which plan might be best for you, help is available for you from these critical organizations that can help you to choose an appropriate plan:

1)      SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Florida Department of Elder Affairs: 1-800-963-5337

2)      MEDICARE - 1-800-Medicare (633-4227)

HAVE YOUR INFORMATION WITH YOU WHEN YOU CALL. Make sure you have your Medicare ID number, the drugs you are currently taking, your refill schedule and preferred method of receiving prescriptions (at the Pharmacy, through the mail, etc.), and your annual income in case you qualify for low income assistance.

Remember, MAY 15 is the last day you can sign up without penalty.  Please call the above agencies as soon as possible to avoid these disgraceful penalties.

Your questions, thoughts, and concerns are important to me. Please do not hesitate to let me know of any problems or issues you consider significant.  Feel free to contact my offices in Broward at 954-437-3936, in Miami-Dade at 305-936-5724, or in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-7931.