Skip to comments.
Prescription Drug Bill in Peril, Kennedy Says
NY Times ^
| 11/5/03
| NYT
Posted on 11/05/2003 11:23:25 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts said Tuesday that negotiations on a bill to help elderly people buy prescription drugs were "on life support," in danger of dying within weeks. Mr. Kennedy, the Democrats' senior strategist on health care issues, said the negotiations were "in free fall" because House Republicans were insisting on provisions demanded by some conservatives but detested by many Democrats.
One such provision would require standard Medicare to compete directly with private plans. Another would force Congress to vote on possible Medicare cuts if the costs of the program, including new drug benefits, grew faster than expected.
Mr. Kennedy is not a member of the conference committee trying to reconcile Medicare bills passed by the Senate and the House in June. But his comments are significant because he was a strong supporter of the bipartisan bill approved in the Senate, by a vote of 76 to 21.
Many Democrats share his views of the bill taking shape in conference. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, the Senate Democratic leader, said on Tuesday that "it's becoming less and less likely" that a Medicare bill will become law this year.
The conference chairman, Representative Bill Thomas, Republican of California, said, "We have to be more creative and figure out a way around" the developing impasse.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: drugbill; healthcare; medicare; prescriptiondrugs
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
This turkey can't die fast enough.
2
posted on
11/05/2003 11:26:03 AM PST
by
kidd
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
GOOD!
3
posted on
11/05/2003 11:27:30 AM PST
by
goodnesswins
(just wondering)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Anyone who gets in Kennedys car is in peril...
4
posted on
11/05/2003 11:28:28 AM PST
by
cardinal4
(Hillary and Clark rhymes with Ft Marcy park...)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
No feeding tube for this bill.
5
posted on
11/05/2003 11:29:52 AM PST
by
NonValueAdded
("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
I think the Republicans should start blaming the failure of the bill on the Democrat's unwillingness to work to a common goal.
6
posted on
11/05/2003 11:32:38 AM PST
by
Pest
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Prescription Drug Bill in Peril, Kennedy SaysI certainly hope so.
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Good. Let it die on the vine!!!!!!!!!!!!
8
posted on
11/05/2003 11:40:21 AM PST
by
b4its2late
(Strip Mining Prevents Forest Fires)
To: b4its2late
Scrap this socialist piece of crap!
9
posted on
11/05/2003 11:41:01 AM PST
by
nospinzone
(What does it say on the bottom of Coke bottles at DU? It says "Open Other End.")
To: goodnesswins
I'll second that!
10
posted on
11/05/2003 11:42:51 AM PST
by
Wphile
(Keep the UN out of Iraq)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Beat it, kill it, bury it and FORGET ABOUT IT!!
11
posted on
11/05/2003 11:47:08 AM PST
by
Gerish
Comment #12 Removed by Moderator
To: Gerish
I know this is an oldpost, but I am looking for any update on this rediculous bill and more importantly; any info on who is in the conference committee determining the fate of this bill.
Also, if the Dems are not happy and feel it is dying, why are Republicans like Thomas trying to keep it alive?
Thanks.
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson