Medicare Debate--Thread 2

[Ellen Forradalom]

Continuation of real time up Medicare debate updates.
first half: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=755731
Lois Capps D CA This bill cuts 1B dollars from cancer care. I'm ashamed.

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. Billy Taubin.

this bill will give oncologist $100M more this year and next year.

Rural cancer centers would not be negatively impacted.

Taubin: ASP + percentage to let cancer centers buy drugs.

(asp: average sales price)

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. Jan Schakowsky!!! D-IL

Taubin talked about centrality of choice in our democracy. I agree. but in all the years, NO senior citizen has ever said to me, What I really want is a choice of insurance plans! Send me those brochures! Seniors want a choice of doctors, drugs, pharmacy. They want real choice they get under Medicare, the Medicare they know and love. That's the choice they will lose under this bill. But it's okay because seniors know the difference between real and phony choices. If you vote for this bill you give seniors phony choice.

[Ellen Forradalom]

3. Rick Renzi R AZ

We have cancer clusters due to A bomb testing. We know how to treat cancer.

Oncology nurses are not allowed to bill and get full amounts under current Medicare. Medicare must be modernized.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. Tom Allen D-ME

Our seniors want lower prescription drug benefits.

Again, no one wants a choice of insurance plans.

Defeat this medicare bill, it is bad for Maine seniors!

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Hey, you wanna split the remaining folks?

You do the Dems, I"ll do the Pugs.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

9. Ok, long as I can hang on...

but you get the fun ones. :)

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. You wanna do Pugs? It's all the same to me.

If so, get Taubin's words.

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Tom Allen D ME

My seniors in Maine: Desperate for lower RX prices. they want Medicare they have; there are no HMOs in Maine. Seniors pile into buses to go to Canada. What do they get? Gov't can't negotiate lower prices. Inadequate benefit. Seniors want predictability, continuity of medicare. No one has ever asked me for a choice of insurnance plans. They want choice of doctors and pharmacies. My parents were in a Medicare choice plan, it was a bureacratic nightmare.

[Ellen Forradalom]

7. Steve Israel D NY

If it looks like, smells, feels, sounds like privatization, I will oppose it. It's just an experiment in six areas, don't worry. When you're a guinea pig, you worry.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

8. Steve Israel D-NY

This bill looks like privatization, sounds like privatization, smells like privatization, feels like privatization...and I have to vote against this bill!

We could've done a better job on this bill...

ed: I dig this guy!

[Ellen Forradalom]

10. Robert Andrews D NJ

This is a historic morning. History will record that any pretense that the GOP had a fiscal responsibility has ended. You are adding a $400 B entitlement with no way to pay for it. You are robbing the Social Security trust fund. This is a massive giveaway to Rx companies disguised as a drug benefit. 10 years ago you said we can't afford to expand entitlements. You should repeal your sacred tax cut to pay for this entitlement. Shame on the Republican party for unleashing a torrent of red ink that we will be paying for for generations.

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Pug uip. I'll do it.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. Robert Andrews D-NJ

You are taking every nickel out of the SS trust fund, and then some, to make up the difference (in this bill). So what is your strategy? Taking an entitlement.

A trojan horse...a massive giveway to giveaway to the health insurance industry, disguised as a prescription drug benefit for senior citizens...

To have a real prescription drug benefit, you should repeal your sacred tax cut and pay for what's really necessary for American seniors. Shame on the Republican party for turning its back!

(That was awesome!)

[Andromeda]

14. Edward Markey (D) Mass

Bill is diguising its real purpose---it's a Thanksgiving Turkey
Will stick taxpayers with the cost.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

16. His graphic was great!

A poster with a turkey: "This bill is a turkey!"

[RevolutionStartsNow]

15. Hey forradalom, I gotta go to bed

But hey that was fun for a bit. Thanks to Tivo. Sorry about duping you on those. People are seeing double on this thread no doubt.

[Ellen Forradalom]

19. no prob I got it

[Ellen Forradalom]

17. Edward Markey D MA

40 years ago, Prez Kennedy's assass. released an energy that led to passage of Civil Rights Act and Medicare. By contrast, the bill before us today was conceived in secret which will destroy Medicare. this bill is a turkey it will not fly. Forces seniors into HMOs; drops millions of seniors from retirement plans; forces elders to pay more than they do now. This bill is a poison pill that leads to the destruction of Medicare.

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. Taubin up again

Health care isn't partisan. Doctors and pharmacies don't ask if you're dem or repub. We have a chance to do something that seniors need. (Thanks a bunch of people--sounds like an Oscar acceptance speech. Don't forget the Academy and the Lord Jesus Christ.)

[Andromeda]

20. Billy Tauzin (R) LA

choice in drug coverage for the first time---blah, blah, blah, when the ravages of time, blah,blah,blah, need to join together.

Talking about conference committee now---thanking them.

[oasis]

43. "Now" with Bill Moyers. In '95,Tauzin opened the way for corporate crooks

by legislating against lawsuits for bad stock deals.

[Ellen Forradalom]

21. Unanimous consent request--CA, SC, MD reps

Rise in opposition.

[Ellen Forradalom]

22. Mike Ross D ARK

repug congresswoman and I offered up a true bipartisan plan. Repubs said we couldn't afford it. What's happened since then? $350B tax cut and $400B drug plan. Objects to prohibition on negotiation. This is a bad bill.

[Andromeda]

23. Mike Ross(D) AR

Bad, bad bill---takes too long to kick in.

[Ellen Forradalom]

24. Taubin again.

Secretary may not interfere with negotations between private entities and drug mfrs. Language from Dem side they're complaining about.

[Andromeda]

25. Turner (D) Texas

Repubs keeping drug insurance companys, hospitals and doctors happy and costs 400B to reduce costs 25%. No security, no certainty and seniors are on their own. 85% of senior in his district are against this bill.

More stable premium support under Democratic bill. Better all the way around (wish I could type faster).

[Ellen Forradalom]

26. Jim Turner D Texas--Motion to Recommit

Pleas from senior fell on deaf ears until Repubs decided to wrap privatization in a drug benefit. Insurance and drug companies are happy; doctors and hospitals are happy; it costs taxpayers $400 B for a meager 25% discount, we could do the same at no cost by letting seniors buy in Canada. The promise of medicare is no more. My seniors in East Texas--85% are opposed to Republican plan. It's a bad bill for America's seniors and they know it. I will be offering a motion to recommit. Matches conference report dollar for dollar. It eliminates premium supports. rejects poison pill that guts reimportation. It allows Medicaid to provide wraparound coverage

[Ellen Forradalom]

28. Nancy Pelosi D CA, Denny Henny Penny Hastert R IL

NANCY PELOSI:

Let us express our appreciation to Democratic conferees: Mr. Dingell, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Berry. GOP would not let these appointed conferees into conference room. That is a great loss to this debate and our country. The Democratic Party has made insuring the dignity and security of our seniors a cornerstone of our nation for generations. LBJ made Medicare law of the land. (Applause) Seniors know where we stand. We want to protect Medicare. Seniors know that for 40 years GOP has waged war on Medicare. When Gingrich tried to gut Medicare, Clinton stopped them. Tonight GOP wants to deliver final blow. Democrats proposed an RX benefit. GOP offered up a Trojan horse. This GOP plan is a false step, it is a mistake. Puts profits over senior, $12B slush fund for HMOs. $139B in windfall profits to drug comapnies over 8 years. Prohibits govt from negotating for lower prices. Pushes seniors into HMO, pay more for Medicare they know and trust.

This plan makes most seniors pay $4000 out of first $5000 in drug costs. How do you explain this to Mom? Nearly 20 MM seniors and disabled will fall into coverage gap--pay premiums all year without benefits all year. Millions of retirees will lose existing employer provided coverage. This is not the beginning of a real Rx benefit under Medicare. this is the beginning of the end of Medicare as we know it. The more seniors learn, they less they like it. I urge my colleagues to vote against this Republican bill. Go back to conference room toproduce bipartisan bill. Stand with 40MM seniors and disabled.

President Johnson said that this nation's commitment to our seniors was part of a tradition that says never to turn away from despair, never to spurn suffering. We cannot and will not abandon seniors now.


DENNY :

Oscar-acceptance speech: Thanks a bunch people.

This is a time for opportunity, for great change. quotes poetry, says we must pass this historical legislation.

More oscar-acceptance.

The third time is the charm when it comes to Rx drugs. This congress under this leadership passed drug legislation in 106th congress. Died in Senate. 107th congress passed; died in Senate. We are finally poised to complete this journey. When Medicare was conceived, boomers will children. The original drafters were not concerned about long term cost projects or Rx drugs. Boomers approaching retirement and they want their drugs. This makes two changes. It makes system more sustainable and provides drug benefit. Our children will pay 30% or more to sustain Medicare if we don't make it sustainable. We means-test premium and index deductible to inflation. We include cost-containment measures. We create health savings accounts. These give consumers ability to make health care choices to hold down skyrocketing health care costs. As we make these financial reforms, we also modernize the program with an Rx drug benefit. If we pass this, low income seniors will never choose between food and lifesaving drugs. If a low income senior has diabetes, Glucophage is $30/mo. But a hospitalization for renal failure is $6-10,000.
Seniors with high drug costs will save up to 60% or more. A good deal for all seniors.

It includes incentives to employers so they don't drop their plans. Includes help to rural America. We've been fighting for this for a long long time.

This conference report is not perfect. Far left, far right doesn't like it. AARP endorses it (Jeers, applause.) Am Hosp Association, AMA, endorse it.

I urge my colleagues to put politics aside. When have we had the chance to change the paradigm of health care in this country? For a chance to good health care for our seniors? I ask for a positive vote.

[Andromeda]

27. Nancy Pelosi (D)

Thanks her collegues and Democratic conferees, Dingle, Rangel, and Marion Barry. Republican wouldn't let conferees into the room. Democratic party created Medicare and want to strengthen it. Repugs have waged war on Medicare---Pres Clinton stopped Repugs from gutting Medicare under Gingrich.

Democrats are working out prescription drug plan and this bill is a mistake. 12B slush fund for HMO's doesn't lower costs prohibits negotiating makes seniors pay more 4K out of the first 5K out of pocket. Nearly half will fall into coverage gap---will pay premiums all year with benefits. HMO's and pharmaceutical interests are put first. Beginning of the end of Medicare---only one way to save Medicare is to vote no! Wants bipartisan bill---urging senior Americans to look to us.

Never spurn those who suffer hopes rest upon us---endured too many promises to be sacrificed on the altar of indifference.

[Ellen Forradalom]

29. PHOOO that was a lot of typing

Debate's over, someone else can post the procedure updates.

[BurtWorm]

35. *Smooooooooooch!*

That was wonderful! Thank you so much!

:toast:

[annagull]

36. WOW forradalom!! Thanks for the play-by-play!!

I know that wasn't easy, but thanks for that. You're a doll for doing that, gives us a real record of what was said, what was debated. You Rock!! :toast:

[Ellen Forradalom]

42. I type very quickly

I place my talents at the service of humanity.

[theoceansnerves]

30. motion to recommit

clerk is reading the motion to recommit w/instructions, vote should follow soon. speaker on the majority side asked "do we have the motion to recommit in written form?" to a chorus of loud boos.

[theoceansnerves]

31. voting

now voting on the motion to send the bill back to committee.

[bain_sidhe]

32. currently voting on "motion to recommit"

This would send the bill back to committe for further work. If it passes, Medicare reform won't be voted on tonight. If it fails, the actual bill itself will be voted on.

[bain_sidhe]

33. Does anybody know

how many republican votes it takes to put us over the top if all the Dems vote for it? So far, all the dems have, and for repubs have as well.

On edit, whoops, (TV is in a different room) One Dem has voted against, 8 publicans for sending it back to committee - no, now only 6... looks like some arm twisting going on... They have the sound off so you can't hear the screams.

[whirlygigspin]

34. wow, great job!

you guys did a great job!

[bain_sidhe]

37. looks like motion failed...

211 to send back, 222 not to, two pubs not voting.

on to the vote on the actual bill.

[Ellen Forradalom]

38. This is it folks--the vote

fifteen minutes to vote.

[bain_sidhe]

39. a little different...

so far, 17 pubs have voted against the bill!

Keep all appropriate appendages crossed!

[bain_sidhe]

40. major arm twisting going on, I'll bet

16 hold outs, ten minutes past the "end" of the voting time.

[bain_sidhe]

41. 218 against, but they're not closing the voting

215 for it... my guess is, the pubs are trying to get three of the 26 pubs that voted against it to change their vote. One Dem not voting (so far) one (coward) voting "present".