Questions on The Medicare Drug Bill

[bluestateguy]

It seems as if the Congress will soon be debating a new Medicare drug bill which will offer spotty coverage for seniors who take prescription drugs. If your costs are between $2200 and $3600 you will not be covered. In 7 years (after * is out of office when he could be held responsible) private insurers will be allowed to compete with Medicare.

A few questions must be asked here. In the absence of this bill there would likely be no bill: Republicans controlling the Congress will never allow a Democratic bill come to the floor, and I don't know of too many people who think that Democrats--mind you, that means a majority of REAL Democrats, not Zell Millers and Ralph Halls---can win Congress next year. So the question that must be asked is if passage of the current bill is better than doing nothing at all, and working over the long-term to enact a more generous, comprehensive bill.

If Democrats decide to fight the bill they should demand a floor vote on a bill of their own. Show the American people their alternative and demand a vote on it. If they want to filibuster the Republican Medicare bill they better shout out their alternative at the top of their lungs.

On another note, seeing as how Democrats have been left out of negotiations in the conference committee they may be able to cobble together a majority along with libertarian conservatives (Ron Paul, etc.)who oppose any drug bill.

[NewJerseyDem]

1. Rangel substitute failed in the House

http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=330

I think that the bill could fail in the House of Representatives. 19 republicans voted no back in June and more will vote no this time because the conference report will probably be a little more liberal. I doubt that many democrats will support the bill though. Also, in the Senate Olympia Snowe and several other moderates have expressed serious reservations about the bill and may oppose it. I don't know how many moderate democrats other than Baucus, Breaux and Miller will support the bill so the Republicans can't afford to lose many votes. Senators Nickles, Lott and other conservatives voted no on the senate version and may vote no again. This bill is far from passage. I hope it is defeated.

I doubt that in the future democrats can put in a better bill. Republicans will say that there already is a prescription drugs plan and will oppose any expansion. I don't think that we can let this bill pass and hope to have an oppurtunity to improve it in the future.

[wrkclskid]

2. The House dems were allowed to offer their ow bill and it

not surprisingly, didn't pass. It had good coverage but admittedly costed a hell of a lot. As far as this bill is cocnered, I will have to go over all the details really before I make up my mind. Ted Kennedy has suggested this bill has gone too far, and it was his willingess to compromsie that made the first bill pass anyways. The Dems have suggsetd denying cloture if the they thik the Bill goes too far in altering Medicare, but that may be difficult because Baucus has come out for it and I beleif so has Breaux. The repukes are gonna put the full court press on this one. The best gift the dems may get on the issue is that many coservative house repukes are mad at compromises made and will not ote for aother governmet program, it only passed by one vote and that was due to a last minute deal between DeLay and Jo-Ann Emerson. Again, I would have to look at the bill before completely before deciding whther or not to fight it or let it pass avd then try and improve it.

[madfloridian]

3. They are using the issue to destroy Medicare as we know it.

Within a few years, it just won't exist. The people have been told, they know what is going on. I had a letter to the editor published about it, and it really got some people calling their congressmen.

If the people know it, and they are not raising heck about it, then they will get away with it.

I don't think the Democrats will fight anymore on it. It is a shame.

People who never thought about it will in a few years have to ante loads of money for medical care for their parents. They will be shocked. It will be too late.

[Pegleg Thd]

4. After talking to our pharmacist,

doctor and an employee of DHS here in Oklahoma we have decided that we will be better off without the 'medicare"plan" that the puke squad has designed'. Everyone we know agrees that NO PLAN is better than that one the pukes want to shove down our throats. The proposed plan will cost us more than we are paying now. Between my wife, who is a diabetic, and I we take 11 medicines. With the 'bushit plan' I would have to give up ALL of mine so we could afford half of hers. Does this sound like a good deal to you?? Having had 3 heart attacks and 3 strokes over the past 20 years - it doesn't to me!!!

[madfloridian]

7. That sounds sad to me.

A country that treats its elderly this way will pay the price. I do not understand why the right wingers all do not see what is happening.

We have two neighbors who did see the light, so I guess that is good.

[papau]

5. If AARP is neutral, cloture will not be possible and Bill is defeated

Emails around the country are flooding the AARP - folks are as mad as hell as the details are explained. The GOP may buy the current AARP administration - in which case it will pass - because removing those AARP bastards would take a bit of time. But it going to be a fun time if the AARP does endorse. And I am hearing that local AARP members are ready to self organize - and take out ads and fight the 04 election of anyone that supported the bill.

And if the AARP does not endorse - it is dead.

[madfloridian]

6. I am glad to hear that people are mad.

I got their email which breathlessly declared they were not taking sides. I thought, sure you aren't. (sarcasm)

[Ksec]

8. They are using the issue to destroy Medicare as we know it

We need to get this out to older people. AARP should be on this like flies on sht. I had a conversation with my Mom and her buds (60s and 70s) in a card club, and told them about what the Repubs are trying to do. "Oh My!" was the response. They had no idea. Fox is good at that and most of these old ladies watched Fox. We need to spread the word.

[madfloridian]

9. I had a letter published in our paper calling attention to it.

I mean they posted it the day after I sent it. I think it got a lot of attention.

Also, people need to go to www.congress.org and write a note to their congressman there. Be sure to choose the option to let it be posted on the site. That way people can read it and see what is happening.