BUSH REFUSES TO POSTPONE MEDICARE PART D DEADLINE.Byline: LISA The first personal computer to include integrated software and use a graphical interface. Modeled after the Xerox Star and introduced in 1983 by Apple, it was ahead of its time, but never caught on due to its $10,000 price and slow speed. FRIEDMAN Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - With the deadline for picking a Medicare prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, plan only five days away, Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Republicans stood Wednesday behind President George W. Bush in his refusal to grant an enrollment extension. ``Deadlines are set for a reason,'' said Rep. David Dreier David Timothy Dreier (born July 5, 1952), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since January 1981, representing California's 26th congressional district (map). He was first elected to the U.S. House at age 28 in 1980. , R-Glendora, echoing Bush's assertion at a Florida retirement community last week that deadlines ``are important.'' Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, concurred, adding, ``Sometimes, people need deadlines to get things done.'' Monday is the deadline for enrolling in the Medicare Part D program without penalty. While Bush has argued that the deadline is a necessary incentive for seniors to sign up, critics complain that widespread confusion has made it difficult to enroll. Activists, backed by Democratic leaders, want to extend the deadline to Jan. 1, without penalties. Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, argued that Latino seniors are at particular risk of missing the May 15 cut-off date because of language and cultural barriers. One in every three eligible Latinos has yet to sign up, she said. ``We should extend the enrollment deadline, take away the fear of the penalty and give Medicare beneficiaries more time to check their facts, know their options and make informed decisions about Part D,'' Solis said. Among Southland Republicans, only Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, said he would support an extension. He said the new Medicare program has been maligned ma·lign tr.v. ma·ligned, ma·lign·ing, ma·ligns To make evil, harmful, and often untrue statements about; speak evil of. adj. 1. Evil in disposition, nature, or intent. 2. by critics and said he believes that seniors are only now realizing the benefits. ``I know that you can't extend it in perpetuity Of endless duration; not subject to termination. The phrase in perpetuity is often used in the grant of an Easement to a utility company. in perpetuity adj. forever, as in one's right to keep the profits from the land in perpetuity. , (but) everyone that is eligible should have access,'' he said. ``This is a good program.'' lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com (202) 662-8731 |
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