WASHINGTON, March 24 (UPI) -- About 2 million U.S. seniors have signed up for Medicare's Part D drug coverage in the past month, bringing the total number of enrollees to 7 million.
However, more than 40 million people are eligible for the drug coverage, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Many of those who have not enrolled are in a low-income bracket and would qualify for a generous federal subsidy, the newspaper said.
Federal government officials said they are waging an aggressive campaign -- including personal appearances by President George W. Bush in several cities -- to get people to sign up by the May 15 deadline.
Those who sign up after the deadline must pay higher premiums, under current law. The Bush administration's goal is to sign up 28 million to 30 million seniors, said Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt.
