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Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2006;296:1720.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 138 words of the full text and any section headings.

Advocacy groups are urging Congress to pass legislation protecting Medicare beneficiaries by waiving late enrollment premium penalties for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

In letters sent to Senate and House leadership on September 13, more than 40 groups, including the National Council on Aging, Easter Seals, and the Alzheimer Association, argue that people enrolling in Medicare Part D in November or December will pay up to a 7% monthly penalty on premiums for the rest of their lives. The penalty, which could affect up to 1 million enrollees, is equal to a 1% increase in premiums for each month of delayed enrollment.

Bills pending in the Senate and House (S 2810 and HR 5399, respectively [http://thomas.loc.gov/]) would waive the penalty and would also provide $18 million for efforts to get more beneficiaries to sign up.

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