(December 13, 2006) East Los Angeles - Representatives from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pulled up to the Salazar Park Senior Center on East Whittier Boulevard in a special Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage outreach bus to help seniors enroll in Medicare's new prescription drug benefit that started earlier this year. They also set up a tent with tables and laptops to assist seniors in the enrollment process. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard urged the seniors to weigh their choices carefully before making a decision. For coverage starting in 2007, open enrollment is underway now and ends December 31. The congresswoman also reminded the seniors that her caseworkers are available at the center on the first Thursday of each month from 8:30 to noon for assistance with federal matters. More information about the Medicare prescription drug benefit is available by contacting the Center for Health Care Rights in Los Angeles at 1-800-824-0780 or the congresswoman's district office at (213) 628-9230. Pictured in the first photo from left to right: Mr. Luis Ayala Padilla; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; and Ms. Elizabeth Garcia of Access Network of California. Pictured in the middle photo from left to right: Derrick Steward with CMS; Steven Dearing, CMS Deputy Regional Administrator; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; and Peter Bauer with CMS. Pictured in the photo on the right: Ms. Lupe Valtierra; Ms. Isabel Quezada; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; and Ms. Carmen Quinonez.