Jackson urges use of benefit

The former presidential candidate reminded people of the Dec. 31 deadline.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Wednesday he is more concerned now with social and economic issues, such as a need to enroll needy and elderly people in a Medicare prescription drug program, rather than with who is declaring presidential candidacies.
Jackson, founder and president of RainbowPUSH Coalition, sought the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, and, although he failed to get the nomination, he succeeded in registering millions of new voters.
"At this point the issue is not who is running, but what is the agenda, what's the priority," Jackson said at Antioch Baptist Church.
He visited the church to speak about the need for people in Cleveland's inner city to consider enrolling in the federal government's prescription drug benefit known as Medicare Part D. But he didn't ignore broader issues.
"The priority must be a trade policy to even the playing field for the American worker, a renewed commitment to funding public education, a policy reinvesting in urban America and depressed rural areas and a commitment for a new health care system," Jackson said.
Ministers to help
He urged Cleveland ministers to help people in their congregations become aware of a Dec. 31 enrollment deadline for 2007 coverage in the prescription drug program. Later enrollment might involve a penalty.
On a tour this month of five U.S. cities -- Miami, Detroit, Atlanta and Oakland, Calif. previously -- in conjuntion with United Health Foundation, Jackson said there are hundreds of thousands of people who still could benefit from the program but might choose not to bother due to its complexities.
"One could argue we need a more accessible system, and we do, except that's not on the table now," he said.
"I asked my mom if she signed up. She said. 'I ain't filling out no more papers.' That was her way of saying she didn't sign up, because she wasn't going to deal with the complications and didn't know if she was signing the right thing or not."
Help found
Jackson said he found help for her to enroll in South Carolina.
Ohio's Republican Sen. George Voinovich held similar informational meetings Wednesday, including one at a seniors' apartment building in suburban Cleveland Heights, to share details about the program and enrollment deadline.
The program offers a wide array of coverage choices.
At the church Jackson visited, several Ohio and private insurance organizations were present to help people understand the program. Hulon Banks, 82, of Euclid, came to see if he could figure out how signing up for the benefit might affect a prescription plan he depends on as a veteran.
"I'm still confused," he said.