Attempt to push back Medicare Part D deadline fails

Legislation that would have pushed back the registration deadline for Medicare Part D until December has been defeated in the Senate. The amendment, proposed by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), won a 52-45 majority, but failed to pass under Senate rules requiring a clear majority. The legislation's supporters had argued that the widely-reported problems with the benefit's rollout make an extension necessary. Seniors have until May 15 to sign up for the benefit or face penalties.

- read this Washington Post article

PLUS: A study by Prudential Equity Group last year is back in the news. Drug companies stand to make an extra $2 billion under the new drug benefit because they will no longer be required to pay the government rebates on the drugs it buys for the elderly poor. "The net effect over 10 years is probably closer to $40 billion in extra profit," says University of Minnesota economist Stephen Schondelmeyer. Article

ALSO: Not surprisingly, CMS takes a different view. Administrator Dr. Mark McClellan said yesterday that the cost of the program over the next decade will be $678 billion, a savings of about $70 billion over the agency's last estimate. Article

FINALLY: HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt released his progress report on Part D's first month. Report (.pdf)

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