It's a bitter pill to swallow, but it might make you feel better in the long run.

Seniors and others with Medicare who've been contemplating enrollment in Part D, the government's prescription drug plan, now have only three more days to choose one. And those already enrolled who wonder if they could get a better deal with another plan face the same Dec. 31 deadline.

Given the complexity of the Medicare Part D benefit, which has spawned a blizzard of private drug plans, choosing the best one is a chore.

But D-Day has arrived, and according to all the officials, competition has produced some improvements in benefits.

If you've undergone a change in healthcare over the past year, it would be smart to check to see if your plan still covers your prescriptions.

Meanwhile, some lingering confusion over Part D — as well as other Medicare changes expected to raise overall medical premiums for some in 2007 — suggests that federally funded care of seniors and disabled Americans needs further review.

These beneficiaries need to keep the heat on the new Congress to see that government leverages its power in purchasing drugs and in keeping costs within reasonable bounds.