They write letters
From the Pasadena Star-News:
I wish to comment on the article titled “Bush’s Medicare deadline backed” by Lisa Friedman that appeared in your newspaper.
In the article, Rep. David Dreier was quoted as saying, “The only people asking for an extension are people who violently oppose the Medicare prescription drug bill.”
Last Thursday, 35 nonviolent and respectful people demonstrated and left a petition with more than 300 signatures at Dreier’s office in Glendora. Our message was simple.
At this point, 14 million seniors have not yet signed up for the program, because it is costly, controlling and confusing.
Also, if they were not enrolled by the May 15 deadline, they may face permanent and heavy penalties, which amount to a seniors’ tax.
We simply requested that Rep. Dreier take some action to extend the deadline so that this matter can be addressed.
We also asked why he received over $130,000 from drug company lobbyists.
Gary A. Wolff
Arcadia
People who “violently oppose” Plan D? Did Dreier really say that? He sure did (this is a link to the Google cache which will probably disappear soon, so I’ve copied the entire article for posterity in the extended entry.)
“Deadlines are set for a reason,” said Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, echoing Bush’s assertion at a Florida retirement community last week that deadlines “are important.”
…
Dreier said he has encouraged senior citizens in his district to sign up and described the Democratic calls for an extension as disingenuous.
“The only people asking for an extension are people who violently oppose the Medicare prescription drug bill,” he said.
5/11/2006 12:00 AM
GOP reps stand by Medicare deadline
By Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau
Pasadena Star-NewsWASHINGTON – With the deadline for picking a Medicare prescription drug plan only five days away, Southern California Republicans stood Wednesday behind President Bush in his refusal to grant an enrollment extension.
“Deadlines are set for a reason,” said Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, echoing Bush’s assertion at a Florida retirement community last week that deadlines “are important.”
Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon 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 Democrat 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 Monday cutoff date because of language and cultural barriers. One in every three eligible Latinos has yet to sign up for Part D, 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.
Dreier said he has encouraged senior citizens in his district to sign up and described the Democratic calls for an extension as disingenuous.
“The only people asking for an extension are people who violently oppose the Medicare prescription drug bill,” he said.
Among Southland Republicans, only Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, said he would support an extension.
Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea, said he has not studied the issue.
lisa.friedman@langnews.com
(202) 662-8731
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