Medicare Cards See Lack of Interest; Some Sponsors Report Few Takers for Drug Discount Cards That Go Into Effect Tuesday

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WASHINGTON (AP) - As Tuesday's starting date approaches for the Medicare drug discount program, the number of older Americans enrolling for the new benefit has been disappointing, according to some card sponsors.

While most of the more than 70 sponsors are silent about how many people they've signed up, AARP admits its number is minuscule. The group, which has 35 million 50-and-older members, mailed out 26,000 enrollment kits and has signed up only 400 people, spokeswoman Carol Shirley said.

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Extract

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Medicare Cards See Lack of Interest; Some Sponsors Report Few Takers for Drug Discount Cards That Go Into Effect Tuesday

At Walgreen Co., spokesman Michael Polzin said, "We prepared for a crush of seniors to come in beginning in May. That hasn't happened."

The Bush administration projected that 7.3 million Medicare recipients would sign ...

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