Statement by AARP CEO Bill Novelli in Support of Proposed Medicare Part D Legislation

Source: AARP Press Center | May 18, 2006

Today, AARP issued the following statement in support of recent legislative proposals written to improve Medicare Part D:

AARP is working everyday to help make prescription drugs more affordable for all. For those in Medicare, the new prescription drug plans are providing significant savings. But for beneficiaries who did not enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit by the May 15th deadline, AARP strongly supports removing the late enrollment penalty during the first year of this new program.

We urge Congress to swiftly act to remove the penalty. In the House, AARP supports H.R. 5399, introduced by Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and others. In the Senate, AARP has endorsed S. 2810, introduced by Senators Grassley, Baucus, Nelson, DeWine, and Snowe. These proposals will protect Medicare beneficiaries from an unfair lifetime penalty, and encourage them to enroll at the next opportunity. We also urge that any final bill include funds for additional outreach efforts that are crucial to enrollment, particularly for low-income beneficiaries.

AARP will continue to work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to improve the Medicare drug program and help make prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans.