The Final Day

Today is the final day for Medicare recipients to sign up for Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, without penalty. Efforts, primarily by Democrats in Congress, to extend the deadline have been unsuccessful. There are signs that there is interest among Republicans in Congress in reopening the signup period, but it is unclear whether this will go forward. President Bush has strongly opposed any extension of the deadline and many Republicans want to put this behind them as quickly as possible. Any Medicare recipient who has not already signed up should carefully consider signing up before midnight.