Senate Democrats have proposed a bill to simplify the Medicare Part D drug plan.

The Medicare Drug Benefit Simplification Act of 2006 would establish six defined Part D drug plan offerings. It also would prohibit plans from making mid-year formulary changes. Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the legislation.

The bill would also forbid unfair marketing practices and place greater emphasis on plans’ performance ratings.