Every senior deserves affordable access to prescription medications—not a lifetime penalty for an honest mistake.
Millions of Americans rely on Medicare to help pay for the medications they need. Yet under current law, many beneficiaries who do not enroll in Medicare Part D when first eligible are assessed a late enrollment penalty that can last for the rest of their lives.

For many seniors, this penalty is not the result of intentional neglect. It often stems from confusion about Medicare rules, changes in employment or insurance coverage, administrative errors, incarceration, or simply because they did not need prescription drug coverage when they first became eligible.

As prescription drug costs continue to rise, a lifetime surcharge only makes essential medications more difficult to afford. Seniors living on fixed incomes should not face permanent financial consequences because of a misunderstanding that may have occurred years or even decades ago.

We believe Congress should reform this policy by:

Eliminating the Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty; or
At a minimum, ending its lifetime application and replacing it with a reasonable, time-limited penalty; and
Providing hardship exceptions for beneficiaries who acted in good faith or faced circumstances beyond their control.
This is not about encouraging people to delay enrollment. It is about ensuring that the punishment fits the mistake and that Medicare remains fair, compassionate, and understandable.

By signing this petition, you are urging Congress to take action and protect America's seniors from an unnecessary lifelong financial burden.

Sign today and help us advocate for a Medicare system that prioritizes access to affordable prescription drugs over permanent penalties.