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A Double Celebration Of Maryland's Beginnings
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer is asking the Bush administration to extend the penalty-free enrollment period for the Medicare program to Dec. 31.
(By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
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On Tuesday, in anticipation of President Bush's speech on his prescription drug plan scheduled yesterday in Silver Spring, Hoyer outlined his concerns with the May 15 deadline.
Originally designed to encourage enrollment, the May deadline and subsequent penalties, Hoyer said in a statement Tuesday, are looming over Medicare recipients as they struggle to make sense of a complex plan.
In a letter to the White House, Hoyer and 10 other members of the House Democratic leadership requested that the administration extend the deadline and waive any penalties for late signup until Dec. 31.
Under the new drug benefit, Maryland seniors can choose from 47 different plans offered by 19 different companies.
Hoyer's call for extending the deadline follows his discussions of the drug plan with senior citizens last Friday in La Plata. He hosted a town hall meeting at the Richard Clark Senior Center.
So far in the implementation of the program, Hoyer said in the statement, "over 20 states have declared public health emergencies and been forced to pick up the tab for tens of thousands of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities who have been left without the medicines they desperately need."
Human Relations Awards
The St. Mary's County Human Relations Commission is sponsoring its 20th annual Human Relations Awareness Day Breakfast and Awards Presentation on April 8 at the Harry Lundenburg School of Seamanship.
This year's theme is "Human Relations and Our Global Community." The guest speaker will be Iris Carter Ford, professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 9.
In selecting the candidates for its annual awards, the commission sought individuals who have been instrumental in providing community services and promoting human rights. Nominations were requested from the community. The award recipients for this year are Keith Fairfax, Don Cropp and Joe St. Clair, Molly Gates and the Shop With A Cop Program.
To make reservations for the breakfast, contact the St. Mary's County Division of Community Services at 301-475-4200, Ext. 1849. The cost is $12 a person.
Fete for Working Women
The Charles County Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for its 37th annual Working Woman's Appreciation Day, scheduled on April 27 in Waldorf.
Working Woman's Appreciation Day gives chamber member businesses an opportunity to thank female employees for their contributions. The event features a luncheon, a fashion show, performances and a ceremony recognizing Charles County's Working Woman of the Year.
The chamber is seeking businesses that can donate door prizes -- such as flower arrangements, gift certificates or jewelry -- and up to 325 small items for participants to take home with them. The small items, such as pens, pencils and notepads, can carry the contributing company's logo, but must be actual items, not printed paper or cards.
The theme of this year's event is "Life's a Beach." It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, 3090 Crain Hwy.
To become a sponsor or for more information, call the chamber office at 301-932-6500 or 301-870-3089 or send an e-mail to info@charlescountychamber.org .
