"40,000 to 50,000 people were on the agency's Web site - http://www.medicare.gov - at any given moment Monday."

Now, Nancy Johnson claim she plans to introduce legislation to assist those who miss the enrollment deadline.  Johnson also held hearings on Part D on May 3, 2006.  The outcome of which was very partisan.  

In response to Johnson's sudden turnaround, Nancy Pelosi claimed,

"After months of ignoring the pressing needs of seniors, Republicans are running for political cover by claiming they want to waive the penalty they imposed.  Waiving the penalty does not do enough."

Johnson responded by saying that Part D enrollment would have been closer to 100%

"if the Democrats had put the welfare of our seniors ahead of their own political ambition."

San Francisco Chronicle:  
A press release from Pete Stark:

"Mrs. Johnson always talks about listening to her constituents.  But if she thinks waiving the penalty is all they're asking for, she needs to have her hearing checked."

Detroit Free Press:

Beneficiaries who missed the deadline cannot enroll again until Nov. 15, with coverage starting in January 2007. Unless the government grants a waiver, they will be penalized 1% per month in higher premiums. People who enroll by January will pay 7% more -- or about $2.50 more per month. People who miss that deadline and don't enroll till November of next year will pay 19% more.

Indy Star:

*  Forty-seven senators, including three Republicans, signed a letter Thursday by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., urging Bush to extend the deadline and lift the penalties.

*  On Friday, Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, added her voice to the effort. She noted that nearly half of seniors in a recent survey didn't know about the deadline or penalties.

However, despite all of the repeated requests for an extension of the enrollment period and the complaints about the confusion in the Part D plans one is supposed to sign up for, the administration is holding firm.

Baltimore Sun:  
White House spokesman Tony Snow:

"I'm not going to give you a categorical answer.  The deadline's the deadline."

Forbes:
According to Mike Leavitt, choosing a Part D consists of three things:

"First, is to get their prescription drugs together; second, is to find their Medicare card; and third, is to dial 1-800-Medicare or go online at www.medicare.gov."

Robert Hayes of the Medicare Rights Center:  
Earlier, Michael Leavitt assisted his parents in choosing a Part D plan, despite the fact that his father made a fortune in the insurance business.  And, the plan that Leavitt chose for his parents put their retiree health coverage at risk.

And, if the HHS Secretary can make a mistake, how many others who are forced to enroll in Part D will?

UPDATE: A bipartisan bill was announced earlier today that would waive penalties for late enrolles to Part D. People would be allowed to enroll for 2007 without paying any penalty. The legislation was sponsored by Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn. is working w/colleagues in the House to introduce similar legislation. Michael Leavitt feels that it is necessary to wait and see if the legislation is needed. Mark McClellan is concerned as to whether or not the legislation could further reduce costs to Medicare managed care plans. In addition, officials claim that they will use what they have learned from the initial enrollment drive and try to improve the offerings next year.