Barring changes, Dems 'unable to support' prescription drug bill

[salin]

Barring changes, Dems 'unable to support' prescription drug bill

House plan requires Medicare to compete with private plans
From Steve Turnham
CNN Washington Bureau
Thursday, October 23, 2003 Posted: 6:06 PM EDT (2206 GMT)


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Forty-one senators, all but two Democrats, sent a letter to President Bush on Thursday, saying they would oppose a Medicare prescription drug bill -- unless some changes are made.

That number would be enough to block the bill in the Senate, although Democrats said they had not decided whether to filibuster the measure. The bill is currently being negotiated by a House-Senate conference committee.

"We are further away now than at any time since this conference began," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts. "It is at grave risk."

The letter -- signed by 39 Democrats, one Republican and one independent -- includes a long list of objections, but a House proposal that would require Medicare to compete against private health plans appears to be the killer issue for these senators.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/23/congress.medicare/index.html

[TrogL]

1. A single plan would be cheaper and more stable

The bigger the user base, the larger the number of healthy contributors, hence lower rates. There are also cost savings due to consolidation of services, manpower and infrastructure.

Repugs will hate it, of course, because there's no opportunity for pork barrel.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Breaux needs to GO!

Louisiana can do better for us. I knew before I clicked he'd be one that was NOT a signator...and on the bright side...Dems need to make a big fat concession and get Snowe on the Dem ticket.

[The Zanti Regent]

3. We KNOW what the GOP Health Care Plan is!

The sick and needy give a lot of $$$$$$$$ to Pat Robertson and Pat will pray for Jesus to intercede and make them well.

And when they die, Pat will say it's GOD'S WILL!

[bluestateguy]

4. Do they have enough to sink it?

Could there be a coalition of Democrats and free-market conservatives who would have the votes to kill this bill? One of the reasons why Nixon's Family Assistance Plan failed in Congress in 1971 was because of lack of support from liberals who thought the payments were too low, as well as free market conservatives who were appalled at the idea.