This is a new plan and to some extent it’s all guesswork. We’ve been working very hard to make sure we’ve covered all the contingencies.

Many plans offer more than the standard benefit. Most offer a zero deductible and a flat rate, rather than a percentage co-pay. Some provide coverage in the gap between $2,250 and $5,100, especially for generic...

Signing up for Part D will put in extra money in their pocket. It’s one important reason we’re urging people to sign up by the deadline.

They will not walk out of the pharmacy without their prescription. The plan has been tailored so these people do not lose coverage.

We’ve put thousands of people on the 800 line to make sure people don’t have to wait.

They may be waiting for a shakeout; they may be waiting for more information. Or they have decided they don’t want coverage – it is a voluntary program, after all.

The vast majority of people who have signed up say they’ve had no problems. If there’s a pattern of problems, that’s news. But that’s not what the majority of people are experiencing.

We’re actually very encouraged by the enrollment figures. They show that people are realizing that there’s value to this plan, and they’re enrolling, despite a lot of negative press.