Calling the Medicare Part D drug plan “a prescription for disaster,” Maryland Democratic leaders asked the federal government to extend the fast-approaching Monday enrollment deadline for the state?s seniors.

“People are confused,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-7th. “If this program is really intended to help our seniors, then we need to extend the deadline,” Cummings said to the elderly city residents gathered at the Sandtown-Winchester senior center in East Baltimore. Cummings, joined by Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-2nd, and a candidate for Senate, Rep. Benjamin Cardin, said extending the deadline was necessary to reach senior citizens who live alone.