Part D gets 2 million sign-ups

The Bush administration said 2 million people signed up for the Medicare Part D benefit this month. That brings the total number who have enrolled individually to 7 million. Federal officials acknowledged that many of those who are eligible for the program and have not signed up fall into low-income groups. A drive is planned to sign up as many low-income seniors as possible before the May 15.

Meanwhile, House Democrats released a report that criticizes many of the new plans for requiring prior authorization before prescriptions can be filled. The report, which was requested by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), finds that it is "almost impossible" for seniors to learn many details about restrictions before signing up.

- read this article from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)