Improving Access to Medicare Part D Act of 2006

H.R. 5297, the Improving Access to Medicare Part D Act of 2006, proposed extending the initial enrollment deadline for Medicare prescription drug coverage by one year, moving the cutoff from May 2006 to May 2007. The bill also sought to grant the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers to lower costs for seniors. Additionally, it called for increased federal efforts to educate the public and provide expert assistance to help eligible individuals understand and enroll in their benefits.