| 00:00:00 | IN RICHMOND, INDIANA, TODAY AND THE HEART OF THE HEARTLAND DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT. |
| 00:00:07 | MR. SPEAKER, SHE SAID WITH FEAR IN HER VOICE THAT SHE WAS WORRIED THAT A CONSERVATIVE LIKE ME WOULD NOT SUPPORT RAISING THE DEBT CEILING AND WOULD PUT AT RISK HER SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK. |
| 00:00:23 | SHE ASSUMED THAT MY LOATHING OF RED INK WOULD CAUSE ME TO VOTE IN SUCH A WAY OR FAIL TO ACT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WOULD JEOPARDIZE HER BENEFITS AND THE BENEFITS OF PEOPLE THAT SHE LOVES. |
| 00:00:37 | I ASSURED HER THEN AND I RISE TODAY TO ASSURE ALL THOSE THAT ARE LISTENING, MR. |
| 00:00:42 | SPEAKER, THAT I WILL NOT DO THAT. |
| 00:00:44 | I TRULY BELIEVE IF YOU OWE DEBTS, PAY DEBTS. |
| 00:00:46 | I AM A MEMBER OF THE MAJORITY IN THIS INSTITUTION THAT HAS REPAID THE NATIONAL DEBT, NEARLY A HALF OF A TRILLION DOLLARS. |
| 00:00:56 | WE BALANCED THE BUDGET LAST YEAR, ADOPTED A PLAN TO ACTUALLY REDEEM ALL OF THE PUBLIC DEBT OVER THE NEXT DECADE. |
| 00:01:03 | WE WERE ON TRACK, MR. |
| 00:01:04 | SPEAKER, TO MEET THAT GOAL EVEN AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S TAX CUT WAS ADOPTED. |
| 00:01:10 | AND THEN, THOUGH IT IS CONVENIENT TONIGHT TO FORGET IT, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THEN A RECESSION STRUCK AMERICA AND THEN OF COURSE AS WE ALL EXPERIENCED HERE IN DEVASTATION IN NEW YORK CITY AND AT THE PENTAGON, 9-11 STRUCK AND HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE C. |
| 00:01:28 | B.O. AND THE O. |
| 00:01:30 | M.B. AND EVERY INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA PREDICTED WOULD BE THERE WAS NO LONGER THERE. |
| 00:01:35 | THE RESULT IS THAT OUR GOVERNMENT NOW NEEDS TO KEEP ITS PROMISE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, ALL OF THE VARIOUS ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE ONE THAT ELDERLY WOMAN SPOKE ABOUT THIS MORNING. |
| 00:01:53 | THE TRUTH IS THEY HAVE NO BUDGET. |
| 00:01:55 | THEY HAVE NO CREDIBILITY ON DEBT REDUCTION. |
| 00:01:57 | THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO GUARANTEE THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT. |
| 00:01:59 | THEY HAVE NO PLAN FOR THAT LITTLE OLD LADY. |
| 00:02:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:02:06 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 00:02:07 | MR. RANGEL: I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY FRIEND FROM KANSAS, MR. |
| 00:02:09 | MOORE. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:02:12 | MR. MOORE: THANK YOU, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 00:02:14 | I SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL ON THE FLOOR AT THE PRESENT TIME. |
| 00:02:18 | KANSAS FAMILIES LIVE BY THREE SIMPLE RULES. |
| 00:02:20 | NUMBER ONE, DON'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU MAKE. |
| 00:02:23 | NUMBER TWO, PAY OFF YOUR DEBTS. |
| 00:02:25 | NUMBER THREE, INVEST IN BASICS IN THE FUTURE. |
| 00:02:28 | THE BASICS FOR OUR COUNTRY ARE NATIONAL DEFENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, A HIGHWAY SYSTEM, THINGS WE ALL WOULD AGREE ON. |
| 00:02:36 | THE BASICS FOR FAMILY ARE FOOD, SHELTER AND EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE. |
| 00:02:40 | AND YET IN THIS CONGRESS, IN THIS CONGRESS, AFTER WE GOT OUR BUDGET BACK IN BALANCE, WE STARTED DOWN THE WRONG ROAD AGAIN. |
| 00:02:50 | NOW, I DON'T BLAME ANYBODY IN THIS CONGRESS FOR A RECESSION. |
| 00:02:53 | I DON'T BLAME ANYBODY IN THIS CONGRESS FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON 9-11 AND CERTAINLY NOT THE PRESIDENT. |
| 00:02:59 | AND I VOTED FOR THE TAX CUTS SO I DON'T BLAME ANYBODY FOR THAT AS CAUSING THE PROBLEM WE ARE IN. |
| 00:03:05 | BUT I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE BACK TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 00:03:09 | INITIALLY SECRETARY O'NEILL ASKED FOR A $750 BILLION INCREASE IN THE DEBT LIMIT. |
| 00:03:14 | I THINK THAT'S AN OUTRAGEOUS BLANK CHECK TO GIVE TO THIS CONGRESS. |
| 00:03:20 | THEY'RE ASKING FOR $450 BILLION. |
| 00:03:21 | I THINK THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT IS $150 BILLION AND MOVE TO A PLAN TO GET US BACK TO BALANCE, JUST TO WORK TOGETHER, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO GET US BACK TO BALANCE. |
| 00:03:31 | THANK YOU. |
| 00:03:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:03:34 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 00:03:35 | MR. ARMEY: MR. |
| 00:03:36 | CHAIRMAN, MAY I INQUIRE AS TO THE TIME? |
| 00:03:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS HAS 7 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 00:03:40 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS FIVE MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 00:03:42 | MR. |
| 00:03:43 | ARMEY: MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. |
| 00:03:48 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME -- WAIT A MINUTE, MR. |
| 00:03:50 | SPEAKER. EXCUSE ME. |
| 00:03:51 | MR. |
| 00:03:52 | SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME, I WILL YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. |
| 00:03:58 | FLAKE. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 00:04:00 | MR. |
| 00:04:01 | FLAKE: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 00:04:02 | I DIDN'T PLAN TO SPEAK ON THIS AT ALL. |
| 00:04:04 | I WAS UP IN MY OFFICE AND COULDN'T HELP WATCHING SOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS. |
| 00:04:08 | I COULDN'T HELP UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING AMISS HERE TO HAVE PEOPLE, INDIVIDUALS ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE OF THE AISLE, WHO HAVE VOTED FOR NEARLY EVERY SPENDING PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN PUT UP, WHO VOTED FOR THE AIRLINE BAILOUT, WHO VOTE FOR THE FARM BILL, WHO VOTE FOR THE EDUCATION BILL, SPENDING BILL AFTER SPENDING BILL, NONE OF WHICH I VOTED FOR, AND YET I AM OVER HERE SAYING TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 00:04:36 | HOW CAN SOMEBODY SPEND LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FIND RELIGION WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING THE DEBT LIMIT? |
| 00:04:43 | THIS IS JUST LIKE EATING A BIG MEAL AND WALKING OUT ON THE BILL. |
| 00:04:48 | THERE ARE ONLY A FEW PEOPLE IN THIS HOUSE WHO COULD IN GOOD CONSCIENCE VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL AND THEY HAVEN'T -- NO, I WILL NOT. |
| 00:04:56 | AND TO SEE THIS DISPLAY OF PEOPLE STANDING UP AND SAYING WE CAN'T RAISE THE DEBT LIMIT, THAT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE, AFTER VOTING TO SPEND AND SPEND AND SPEND AND SPEND, IT'S JUST MORE THAN I COULD TAKE SO I HAD TO COME HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT. |
| 00:05:10 | WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:05:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 00:05:16 | MR. |
| 00:05:17 | RANGEL: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. |
| 00:05:19 | DAVIS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:05:21 | MR. |
| 00:05:22 | DAVIS: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 00:05:23 | WE HAVE HEARD THE DEBATE TONIGHT. |
| 00:05:25 | THERE IS ONE QUESTION THAT LINGERS. |
| 00:05:27 | WHERE ARE THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES? |
| 00:05:33 | SO MANY OF YOU CAMPAIGNED AS MANY DEMOCRATS DID ON THE VIRTUES OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AND PAYING DOWN THE DEBT. |
| 00:05:39 | THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN OUTLINED HERE TONIGHT THAT WAS OFFERED AS AN AMENDMENT IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE BY ME AND OTHERS ADDRESSES ALL THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED. |
| 00:05:48 | IT GIVES DISCRETION FOR US TO SPEND MONEY ON SECURITY. |
| 00:05:51 | IT ALLOWS TIME TO GET BACK TO A BALANCED BUDGET AND PAYING DOWN THE DEBT. |
| 00:05:56 | ON SEPTEMBER 11, THANK GOD, WE HAD ECONOMIC SECURITY. |
| 00:06:00 | WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET. |
| 00:06:01 | WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO PAYING DOWN THE DEBT. |
| 00:06:03 | IT KEPT US STRONG. |
| 00:06:04 | IT KEEPS US STRONG. |
| 00:06:06 | WE CANNOT IGNORE THAT. |
| 00:06:07 | WE NEED TO GET BACK TO IT. |
| 00:06:09 | THE ARGUMENTS YOU MAKE ABOUT TAX CUTS WOULD BE BETTER ARGUMENTS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A DEBT IN THE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, OVER $4 TRILLION. |
| 00:06:20 | THE INTEREST PAYMENT TWO YEARS AGO ON THAT DEBT EXCEEDED MORE THAN WE SPEND ON MEDICARE THIS YEAR. |
| 00:06:28 | NOW WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY. |
| 00:06:30 | IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH WITHOUT ADOPTING THE MAN THAT HAS BEEN ADVOCATED, WE WILL DRIVE INTEREST RATES UP AGAIN AND BE IN TROUBLE. |
| 00:06:39 | I URGE REJECTION OF THIS BILL. |
| 00:06:40 | LET'S ADOPT THE PLAN. |
| 00:06:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 00:06:45 | MR. RANGEL: I ASSUME THE LEADERSHIP HAS ONE SPEAKER LEFT. |
| 00:06:49 | MR. ARMEY: MR. |
| 00:06:51 | SPEAKER, I HAVE ONE SPEAKER LEFT. |
| 00:06:53 | I RESERVE MY TIME. |
| 00:06:54 | I RESERVE MY RIGHT TO CLOSE. |
| 00:06:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 00:06:59 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 00:07:00 | MR. RANGEL: MR. |
| 00:07:01 | SPEAKER, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, THE MINORITY WOULD HOPE THAT COMMON SENSE AND FAIRNESS WOULD ALLOW US TO SEND THIS BILL TO THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND HAVE IT REPORTED OUT THE RIGHT WAY WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF INCREASE IN THE DEBT, AND IN ORDER TO CLOSE THIS ARGUMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MINORITY, IT'S MY GREAT HONOR TO YIELD THE REMAINEDING -- REMAINING TIME LEFT TO US TO OUR DISTINGUISHED LEADER FROM MISSOURI, MR. |
| 00:07:30 | GEPHARDT. |
| 00:07:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES. |
| 00:07:35 | MR. |
| 00:07:36 | GEPHARDT: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 00:07:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:07:39 | MR. |
| 00:07:41 | GEPHARDT: MR. |
| 00:07:43 | SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, I RISE TO URGE MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED IN A FEW MOMENTS. |
| 00:07:55 | AND IF THAT MOTION TO RECOMMIT IS NOT PASSED, I URGE MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL. |
| 00:08:05 | THE POWER TO BUDGET AND TO PASS ECONOMIC PLANS CARRIES WITH IT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO, IF IT'S NECESSARY, RAISE DEBT CEILINGS TO ACCOMMODATE THE BUDGET, THE ECONOMIC PLAN THAT WE'RE OPERATING UNDER. |
| 00:08:24 | THE ECONOMIC PLAN WE'RE OPERATING UNDER IS ONE PROPOUNDED BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE. |
| 00:08:30 | THAT'S THEIR PER OK FIFF AND THAT'S -- PREROGATIVE AND THAT'S THEIR RIGHT. |
| 00:08:35 | THERE WAS NOT REAL COLLABORATION ON THAT PLAN. |
| 00:08:39 | THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT COLLABORATION. |
| 00:08:43 | THAT ALSO IS YOUR RIGHT. |
| 00:08:45 | BUT IF THAT'S THE PLAN THAT'S IN PLACE AND THAT PLAN NOW LEADS TO DEFICITS AND SPENDING SOCIAL SECURITY DOLLARS AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT WE SAID TOGETHER WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO, BECAUSE WE PASSED THE LOCK BOX AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, THEN IT SEEMS TO ME IT'S INCUMBENT UPON THE PEOPLE WHO PROPOSE THAT PLAN TO VOTE TO INCREASE THE DEBT CEILING TO ACCOMMODATE THE RESULTS THAT THAT PLAN HAS CAUSED. |
| 00:09:21 | I'VE SAID MANY TIMES THAT I WOULD VOTE TONIGHT, OR ANY TIME, TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING BY $150 BILLION. |
| 00:09:33 | I USE THAT AMOUNT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SUFFICIENT TO BUY US A COUPLE MORE MONTHS' TIME TO TRY TO WORK OUT A BIPARTISAN BUDGET THAT WILL BEGIN TO MOVE US BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO. |
| 00:09:49 | I'VE SAID TO THE PRESIDENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A NEGOTIATION, WE SHOULD HAVE A SUMMIT, WE SHOULD HAVE A MEETING, A BIPARTISAN MEETING, TO TRY TO WORK OUT A NEW BUDGET FOR OUR COUNTRY. |
| 00:10:05 | I KNOW WE CAN'T GET EVERYTHING WE WANT, AND I KNOW THAT THE OTHER SIDE CAN'T GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT. |
| 00:10:13 | BUT WE HAD A TRAGEDY IN THIS COUNTRY ON 9-11 THAT NO ONE ANTICIPATED. |
| 00:10:22 | YOU CAN BET THAT EVERY FAMILY WHO LOST SOMEBODY ON 9-11 HAS HAD A BUDGET CONFERENCE AROUND THEIR DINING ROOM TABLE TO COME UP WITH A NEW BUDGET, GIVEN THE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM LOST THEIR BREADWINNER, OR WINNERS ON 9-11. |
| 00:10:40 | WELL, JUST AS THOSE FAMILIES SUFFERED TRAGEDY ON 9-11, THE AMERICAN FAMILY SUFFERED A TRAGEDY ON 9-11. |
| 00:10:49 | AND AS MANY OF US ARGUED WHEN THE BUDGET WAS ON THE FLOOR, WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THOSE CONTINGENCIES IF THEY HAPPEN. |
| 00:10:58 | WELL, IF 9-11 IS NOT A CONTINGENCY THAT HAPPENED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. |
| 00:11:04 | WE ARE FACED WITH HOMELAND SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES, WE'RE FACED WITH FIGHTING A WAR IN MANY COUNTRIES ABROAD. |
| 00:11:12 | IF THAT ISN'T A NEW CONTINGENCY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. |
| 00:11:18 | AS AN AMERICAN FAMILY, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, WHATEVER, WE'RE ALL AMERICANS TONIGHT, AND WE OUGHT TO BE SITTING AROUND A TABLE IN THESE NEXT TWO MONTHS WORKING OUT A NEW BUDGET FOR AMERICA THAT DOESN'T LEAD US BACK INTO ALL THESE DEFICITS AND SPEND SOCIAL SECURITY DOLLARS THAT ALL OF US TOGETHER SAID WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO. |
| 00:11:41 | SO IN THE NAME OF COMMON SENSE, I ASK THAT WE COME TOGETHER TONIGHT, WE COULD GET 435 VOTES TO PASS A $150 BILLION INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING AND MOVE THIS COUNTRY BACK INTO A BUDGET THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS AT WAR, FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY, FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORISM, AND FIGHTING FOR AMERICAN VALUES. |
| 00:12:07 | I URGE MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO VOTE FOR THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT AND LET'S GET BACK TO AN AMERICAN BUDGET THAT'S GOOD FOR ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 00:12:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 00:12:29 | MR. |
| 00:12:35 | ARMEY: MR. |
| 00:12:37 | SPEAKER, I HAVE HERE A LETTER FROM THE CONCORD COALITION, A NONPARTISAN GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO CONCERN THEMSELVES DAILY WITH SUCH MATTERS AS BALANCED BUDGETS. |
| 00:12:52 | AND ACCORDING TO THE CONCORD COALITION, IT SAYS THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE DEBT LIMIT MUST BE INCREASED. |
| 00:13:04 | THE SENATE HAS ACTED, AND NOW IT IS UP TO THE HOUSE. |
| 00:13:10 | REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE SHOULD PUT THE NATION'S CREDITWORTHYNESS AHEAD OF POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. |
| 00:13:20 | THE CONCORD COALITION GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE HOUSE MUST BE PREPARED TO ACT ON A STAND-ALONE DEBT LIMIT INCREASE IN TIME TO AVOID A CRISIS. |
| 00:13:36 | IT ALSO CALLS UPON US TO BE NONPARTISAN OR BIPARTISAN. |
| 00:13:43 | MR. |
| 00:13:44 | SPEAKER, WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD POSSIBLY BE MORE BIPARTISAN THAN TO HAVE THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SCHEDULE FOR DEBATE AND A VOTE A SENATE-PASSED BILL THAT IS AUTHORED BY THE SENATE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY LEADER, THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY, THE HIGHEST RANKING DEMOCRAT IN AMERICA WROTE THIS BILL. |
| 00:14:18 | WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE MORE BIPARTISAN THAN THE TRIBUTE BY REPUBLICANS WE ARE STANDING HERE TODAY, PAYING TO THE DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY? |
| 00:14:34 | AND, MR. |
| 00:14:36 | SPEAKER, IRONY OF IRONIES, THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA'S OWN PARTY'S LEADERSHIP IN THIS HOUSE STANDS HERE IN MILITANT OPPOSITION TO THE HEAD OF THEIR OWN PARTY'S PLAN TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING. |
| 00:14:56 | WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE OF THIS? |
| 00:15:03 | WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THIS PARTISANSHIP? |
| 00:15:07 | A PARTY TURNING UPON ITSELF IN DEFIANCE OF THE CONCORD COALITION. |
| 00:15:14 | WHAT ARE WE TO DO HERE? |
| 00:15:17 | MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE BEFORE US SENATE BILL 2578, AUTHORED, AS I HAVE SAID, BY THE HIGHEST RANKING ELECTED DEMOCRAT IN AMERICA TODAY, THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, SENATOR DASCHLE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. |
| 00:15:40 | A BILL, WHICH WHEN BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR IN THE OTHER BODY WAS PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 37 LOYAL SENATE DEMOCRATS AND 31 THOUGHTFUL SENATE REPUBLICANS. |
| 00:15:54 | WHAT A BIPARTISAN EFFORT THAT WAS. |
| 00:16:00 | IT WASN'T APPLAUDED EVEN BY "THE WASHINGTON POST" FOR THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP. |
| 00:16:05 | EVERY AUTHOR OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN AMERICA STOOD IN REVERENCE AT THE ACTION IN THE OTHER BODY FOR THE COLLEGIALITY AROUND THE SENATE DEMOCRAT LEADER'S PLAN. |
| 00:16:21 | AND YET WE BRING IT TO THIS FLOOR AND IT IS MOCKED, MOCKED BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY. |
| 00:16:29 | OH, BE STILL MY HEART. |
| 00:16:32 | WHAT AM I TO DO WITH THIS? |
| 00:16:35 | WHAT CAN WE SAY? |
| 00:16:38 | ARE THERE 37 BRAVE DEMOCRAT SOULS IN THIS BODY, LOYAL TO THEIR OWN PARTY'S LEADERSHIP, AFFLICTED WITH AFFECTION FOR THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA WHO WILL STAND UP AND SAY TO THE CONCORD COALITION, COUNT ME IN, I'M WITH MY LEADER, I WILL VOTE FOR SENATOR DASCHLE'S PLAN? |
| 00:17:01 | ARE THERE 37 BRAVE SOULS IN THIS BODY? |
| 00:17:09 | OH, I PRAY, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 00:17:10 | I PRAY THAT THEY WILL PRESENT THEMSELVES. |
| 00:17:14 | NOW, LET ME SAY, MR. |
| 00:17:18 | SPEAKER, HOW DISAPPOINTING IT IS TO SEE THE REJECTION OF THAT LEADERSHIP BY A BILL OFFERED AS A MOTION TO RECOMMIT -- >> WILL THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? |
| 00:17:31 | MR. ARMEY: NO, I WILL NOT YIELD. |
| 00:17:35 | >> THANK YOU. |
| 00:17:36 | MR. ARMEY: I'M ON A ROLL HERE. |
| 00:17:42 | A MOTION TO RECOMMIT IN THE FORM OF A BILL OFFERED BY A SMALL BAND OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATOR'S OWN BODY WHO DO NOT EVEN CLAIM TO BE IN THE MAINSTREAM OF THEIR PARTY. |
| 00:17:57 | THESE BLUE DOGS ARE TREACHEROUS . |
| 00:18:01 | THEY ARE TREACHEROUS, MR. |
| 00:18:04 | SPEAKER. |
| 00:18:05 | I PREVAIL UPON MY FRIENDS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE THAT CAME BEFORE YOU FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING. |
| 00:18:16 | CHECK THE RECORD OF HOW YOUR VERY OWN DEMOCRAT SENATOR VOTED. |
| 00:18:23 | PLEASE VOTE WITH HIM. |
| 00:18:25 | SAVE YOURSELF THE EMBARRASSMENT OF HAVING TO GO HOME AND ANSWER THIS QUESTION AT YOUR LOCAL PARTY GATHERING. |
| 00:18:36 | DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE SOME WONDERFUL LADY WHO HAS LABORED IN YOUR PARTY FOR YEARS LOOKS AT YOU WITH HORRIFIED DISAPPOINTMENT IN HER EYES AND SAYS, WHY DID YOU VOTE WITH THAT SMALL BAND OF RENEGADES IN OUR PARTY AND AGAINST THE PLAN OFFERED BY OUR DISTINGUISHED PARTY LEADER, THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR DASCHLE? |
| 00:19:06 | I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. |
| 00:19:07 | THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVERY PARTY MUST CALL UPON THEIR OWN RANK AND FILE, MEN AND WOMEN OF THE CLOTH ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 00:19:21 | STAND BY YOUR MAN. |
| 00:19:22 | THIS IS THE THE OPPORTUNITY. |
| 00:19:26 | DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA. |
| 00:19:28 | AND, OH, YES, THOSE OF YOU IN THE PRESS, PLEASE REPORT, IF YOU WILL, MY GALANT EFFORT TO STAND IN THIS WELL TODAY AND DEFEND THE GOOD FAITH OFFERING OF THE HIGHEST ELECTED DEMOCRAT IN AMERICA FROM THIS UNCONSCIONABLE ASSAULT PERPETUATED AGAINST HIM BY, YES, MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY. |
| 00:19:53 | IT SADDENS ME TO NO END AND I YIELD MY TIME. |
| 00:20:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND MEMBERS THAT IT IS NOT IN ORDER TO CAST REFLECTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL SENATORS. |
| 00:20:17 | ALL TIME FOR DEBATE HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:20:19 | PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 462, THE BILL IS CONSIDERED READ FOR AMENDMENT AND THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. |
| 00:20:25 | THE QUESTION IS ON THIRD READING OF THE BILL. |
| 00:20:27 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 00:20:28 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 00:20:29 | THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 00:20:30 | THIRD READING. |
| 00:20:31 | THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT. |
| 00:20:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 00:20:48 | MR. DAVIS: MAY I HAVE SOUND -- I HAVE A MOTION TO COMMIT AT THE DESK. |
| 00:20:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: IS THE GENTLEMAN OPPOSED TO THE BILL? |
| 00:20:56 | >> IN ITS FORM. |
| 00:20:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE MOTION. |
| 00:21:00 | THE CLERK: MR. |
| 00:21:01 | MOORE MOVES THE BILL 747 WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE WAYS AND MEANS WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO REPORT TO THE HOUSE FORTH WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT, STRIKE ALL AFTER THE ENACTING CLAUSE AND INSERT THE FOLLOWING, SECTION 1, INCREASE IN PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT, SUBSECTION B OF SECTION 3101 OF TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE IS AMENDED BY STRIKING $5,950,000,000 AND INSERTING $6 TRILLION. |
| 00:21:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES IN REPORT OF HIS MOTION. |
| 00:21:38 | MR. MOORE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 00:21:39 | SPEAKER. |
| 00:21:40 | THE MAJORITY LEADER IS LEAVING THIS CONGRESS AT THE END OF THIS TERM, AND HE MIGHT HAVE A CAREER AS A COMEDIAN, BUT THIS IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS MATTER. |
| 00:21:48 | TONIGHT WE'RE TALKING, MR. |
| 00:21:50 | SPEAKER, ABOUT RAISING THE DEBT LIMIT OF THIS COUNTRY. |
| 00:21:55 | WE ARE AT PRESENT APPROXIMATELY $5. |
| 00:21:58 | 9 TRILLION IN DEBT. |
| 00:22:00 | CERTAINLY NOBODY IN THIS BODY WANTS TO SEE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEFAULT ON ITS FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. |
| 00:22:05 | THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. |
| 00:22:06 | THAT IS NOT AN OPTION. |
| 00:22:08 | BUT THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS NOT PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION FROM THE CONCORD COALITION, BECAUSE I WANT TO QUOTE FROM THEIR LETTER. |
| 00:22:15 | AN INCREASE OF ROUGHLY $250 BILLION WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR NOW WITHOUT PROVIDING A BLANK CHECK. |
| 00:22:21 | AND YET THEY'RE ASKING, HE'S ASKING FOR $450 BILLION. |
| 00:22:26 | WE'RE OFFERING $150 BILLION, AND I THINK THAT'S SUFFICIENT. |
| 00:22:32 | IF WE SPEND FURTHER, WE'RE INTO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, AND THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT, MR. |
| 00:22:39 | SPEAKER. |
| 00:22:40 | THAT'S WRONG. |
| 00:22:41 | WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO MEET THE OBLIGATIONS OF THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT INVADING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE. |
| 00:22:48 | I YIELD ONE MINUTE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:22:50 | AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM -- THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, MR. |
| 00:22:57 | SPRATT. |
| 00:22:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 00:23:00 | SPRATT IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:23:02 | MR. SPRATT: MR. |
| 00:23:03 | CHAIRMAN, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO STOP AN INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING. |
| 00:23:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. |
| 00:23:13 | MR. SPRATT: WE'RE NOT TRYING TO STOP AN INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING. |
| 00:23:16 | THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO STOP. |
| 00:23:17 | THIS YEAR, IN THE MOST DRAMATIC FISCAL REVERSAL IN THE TIME ANY OF US HAVE SERVED IN THIS HOUSE, THIS YEAR, OUR BUDGET WILL BE IN DEFICIT TO THE TUNE OF $320 BILLION. |
| 00:23:27 | NEXT YEAR, ACCORDING TO OUR BEST CALCULATION, OUR BUDGET WILL BE IN DEFICIT BY $373 BILLION. |
| 00:23:33 | AND OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, BY $2,785,,000,000. |
| 00:23:42 | THAT'S WHAT WE VOTE TO STOP. |
| 00:23:44 | WHAT YOU VOTE FOR IS FISCAL DENIAL INSTEAD OF FISCAL DISCIPLINE. |
| 00:23:49 | YOU VOTE FOR A LITTLE ABSOLUTION, A TICKET PASS TO THE NEXT ELECTION, A TICKET PASS TO THE NEXT BUDGET RESOLUTION. |
| 00:23:55 | BUT WE SIMPLY WILL PUT OFF DEALING WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THIS DRAMATIC REVERSAL. |
| 00:24:00 | WE WANTED TO PRESENT A PLAN. |
| 00:24:02 | WE WANTED TO PRESENT A PLAN THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE BUDGET TO BE INCREASED BY ANOTHER $150 BILLION AND ANOTHER $100 BILLION WITHOUT ANY OBSTACLE. |
| 00:24:10 | BUT AFTER THAT, YOU COULD ONLY INCREASE IT IF YOU HAD IN PLACE A BUDGET THAT WOULD BE BACK IN BALANCE BY THE YEAR 2007. |
| 00:24:16 | THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY SEEK. |
| 00:24:18 | IN THE ABSENCE OF BEING ABLE TO OFFER THAT PLAN, WHAT WE OFFER INSTEAD IS THE CLOSEST THING TO IT. |
| 00:24:23 | AN INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING OF $150 BILLION WHICH WILL BRING US BACK TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH WE HAVE TO ADDRESS. |
| 00:24:29 | IT WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP OUR OBLIGATIONS TO OUR CREDITORS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP OUR OBLIGATIONS TO OUR CHILDREN AND NOT LEAVE THEM BURDENED WITH OVERWHELMING DEBT. |
| 00:24:44 | >> I YIELD THE BALANCE OF OUR TIME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. |
| 00:24:49 | STENHOLM. |
| 00:24:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 00:24:52 | MR. |
| 00:24:53 | STENHOLM: I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TONIGHT FOR VOTING TO BORROW THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR POLICIES. |
| 00:25:00 | I'M DISAPPOINTED YOU DIDN'T COME TO THE FLOOR WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM TO BORROW THE MONEY AS YOU DID WITH THE BILL TO PUT US IN DEBT, EXCEPT FOR THE MAJORITY LEADER. |
| 00:25:12 | HIS BORROWING $450 BILLION IS UNPRECEDENTED. |
| 00:25:16 | THE NEED TO INCREASE THE DEBT LIMIT IS NOT THE RESULT OF THE SEPTEMBER 11. |
| 00:25:20 | IN FACT, THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURER CAME TO US LAST AUGUST PREDICTING YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE TO BORROW MONEY WHEN YOU WERE LOOKING AT THE ECONOMIC GAME PLAN THAT WE WERE UNDER. |
| 00:25:29 | WE AGREED ON THIS SIDE UNANIMOUSLY, WELL ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY THAT WE NEED TO INCREASE THE DEBT LIMIT BY $150 BILLION TONIGHT AND WE'LL GET OVER 400 VOTES TO DO IT. |
| 00:25:39 | WHAT WE OBJECT TO IS PROVIDING A BLANK CHECK TO BORROW $450 BILLION TO STAY ON THE SAME ECONOMIC GAME PLAN. |
| 00:25:49 | NOW, MY FRIEND FROM ARIZONA MADE THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE SPENDING. |
| 00:25:53 | I WOULD POINT OUT THAT EVERY SINGLE SPENDING VOTE THIS YEAR THAT HAS OCCURRED HAS COME UNDER THE PLAN-PASSED BUDGET THAT WE SUPPORTED IN THE BLUE DOGS THAT YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO HAVE THE TRIGGER ON. |
| 00:26:07 | SO DON'T BLAME US WHEN IT'S YOUR BUDGET WE'RE SPENDING TOO. |
| 00:26:10 | IN FACT, WE AGREE YOU SHOULD NOT INCREASE SPENDING MORE THAN THE PRESIDENT HAS ASKED US TO SPEND. |
| 00:26:14 | THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE TONIGHT. |
| 00:26:15 | THE ISSUE TONIGHT IS WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW ECONOMIC GAME PLAN OR WHETHER WE SHOULD BORROW $450 BILLION WITH A BLANK CHECK TO CONTINUE SPENDING. |
| 00:26:28 | NOW, I AM PERFECTLY WILLING TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND WORK WITH THE MAJORITY IF YOU WOULD JUST LET US. |
| 00:26:35 | BUT WE WILL HAVE A PHARMACEUTICAL BILL ON THE FLOOR LATER TONIGHT IN WHICH YOU DENY US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THAT. |
| 00:26:42 | YOU DENIED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE HILL BILL, THE MOORE BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY, AND YET, YOU SAY -- AS THE CHAIRMAN SAID A MOMENT AGO, WHERE'S THE DEBATE? |
| 00:26:52 | I HAVE BEEN BEGGING YOU TO DEBATE ME ON WHETHER WE SHOULD BORROW $450 BILLION OR $150 BILLION. |
| 00:26:58 | WHEN YOU VOTE FOR THE BILL, YOU'RE BORROWING $450 BILLION. |
| 00:27:02 | WE COULD DO IT AT $150 BILLION AND BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. |
| 00:27:06 | THAT'S THE ISSUE. VOTE FOR THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT. |
| 00:27:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:27:11 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA RISE? |
| 00:27:13 | >> I RISE IN OPPOSITION. |
| 00:27:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 00:27:20 | MR. NESTLE: I THANK THE SPEAKER. |
| 00:27:23 | I CAN'T HELP BUT RECALL THE MINORITY LEADER'S COMMENTS WHEN HE SAID THERE WAS NO COLLABORATION, THAT THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION, THAT THERE WAS NO WORKING TOGETHER. |
| 00:27:33 | I SEEM TO REMEMBER A LOT OF WORKING TOGETHER, A LOT OF COLLABORATION THAT GOT US TO THIS POINT. |
| 00:27:38 | I SEEM TO REMEMBER A NUMBER OF LATE-NIGHT MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER WHEN, IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, WE DECIDED TO REACH IN TO THAT SURPLUS. |
| 00:27:49 | THERE WASN'T MUCH LEFT. |
| 00:27:52 | REACH IN TO THAT SURPLUS AND TAKE MONEY AND DEAL WITH THE EMERGENCY. |
| 00:27:55 | I SEEM TO REMEMBER A BILL THAT WE VOTED ON NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY TO PAY FOR A WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, BIPARTISAN, REACHED IN ANOTHER TIME, DID THE SAME THING. |
| 00:28:07 | I SEEM TO REMEMBER A BILL THAT CAME TO THE FLOOR IN A BIPARTISAN WAY THAT SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? |
| 00:28:12 | THAT PRE-ATTACK RECESSION HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WE NEED ECONOMIC STIMULUS. |
| 00:28:17 | SO LET'S REACH IN THERE AGAIN AND MAKE SURE WE DEAL WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY WE DID WITH THE WAR AND THE WAY WE DID WITH THE EMERGENCY. |
| 00:28:27 | NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE MINORITY LEADER RUSHES TO THE FLOOR AND SAYS GOSH, THERE WAS NO COLLABORATION, NO ONE TALKED TO US, NO ONE CONSULTED US. |
| 00:28:33 | NOW WE NEED A PLAN ALL OF A SUDDEN. |
| 00:28:36 | WE'VE HAD A PLAN, IT'S CALLED DEAL WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WERE DEALT LAST SEPTEMBER. |
| 00:28:40 | THAT WAS OUR PLAN. |
| 00:28:42 | AND WE DID IT TOGETHER. |
| 00:28:43 | WE DID IT TOGETHER. |
| 00:28:45 | AND SO TONIGHT, WE HAVE TO DO TOGETHER WHAT THE OTHER BODY DID WITH THE SENATE DASCHLE BILL, AND THAT IS INCREASE THE DEBT LIMIT TO DEAL WITH THE CARDS THAT WE WERE DEALT. |
| 00:28:57 | NOW, IF YOU WANT TO PLAN -- IF YOU WANT A PLAN, PRESENT ONE. |
| 00:29:02 | DON'T COME DOWN HERE AND BLAME THE TAX CUTS WITHOUT HAVING THE COURAGE OR THE GUTS TO GIVE US A PLAN TO RAISE THOSE TAXES BACK UP AGAIN. |
| 00:29:11 | AND NO, I WILL NOT YIELD, BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF YOU COMING DOWN HERE AND DEMAGOGUING TAX CUTS AND NOT HAVING ONE OUNCE OF GUTS TO TELL US YOUR PLAN TO INCREASE THOSE TAXES BACK UP. |
| 00:29:26 | NO, I WILL NOT YIELD. |
| 00:29:28 | AND I WILL NOT YIELD TO MEMBERS WHO COME IN HERE AND SAY, OH, GOSH, BUT YOU'RE DOING ALL THE SPENDING WHEN TONIGHT, YOUR BID ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WILL BE THREE TIMES THE BILL THAT WE OFFER ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 00:29:46 | THE APPLAUSE IS THERE, BUT WHERE'S THE GUTS TO VOTE FOR THE INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING TO PAY FOR IT? |
| 00:29:53 | THAT'S CALLED TAX AND SPEND. |
| 00:29:54 | AND WE'VE SEEN IT BEFORE. |
| 00:29:55 | WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW IT AGAIN. |
| 00:29:58 | AND I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME TO THE DISTINGUISHED MAJORITY LEADER. |
| 00:30:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 00:30:05 | MR. ARMEY: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN. |
| 00:30:07 | MR. SPEAKER, WHEN WE COME DOWN TO THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WE HAVE BEFORE US A BILL AUTHORED BY SENATOR DASCHLE, THE HIGHEST-RANKING ELECTED DEMOCRAT IN AMERICA, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE SENATOR, $450 BILLION WAS OK. |
| 00:30:35 | 37 DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES AGREED WITH THE SENATOR AS THEY PASSED THIS BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE. |
| 00:30:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR PREVIOUSLY ADVISED THE OTHER SIDE THAT IT'S INAPPROPRIATE TO REFERENCE THE OTHER BODY. |
| 00:30:52 | THE CHAIR WILL REMIND ALL MEMBERS NOT TO CHARACTERIZE MOTIONS -- ACTIONS BY THE OTHER BODY. |
| 00:30:59 | MR. |
| 00:31:00 | ARMEY: I THANK THE CHAIR. |
| 00:31:01 | MR. |
| 00:31:02 | SPEAKER, IF WE WERE TO AMEND THIS SUBSTITUTE, SOMETHING ELSE FOR WHAT THE BODY HAS SENT US, IT WOULD GO BACK TO THE OTHER BODY AND THEN IT WOULD BE UP IN THE AIR AGAIN. |
| 00:31:16 | THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WOULD BE LEFT TO UNCERTAINTY AND DIFFICULT FINANCIAL GYMNASTICS BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY ALREADY BELEAGUERED BY OUR DELAY. |
| 00:31:27 | IT SEEMS, IT TURNS OUT, THAT $450 BILLION INCREASE IN THE DEBT LIMIT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME OR IS EXACTLY THE SAME INCREASE THAT WE PASSED IN 1997 AT THE REQUEST OF THE THEN DEMOCRAT ADMINISTRATION, PRESIDENT CLINTON. |
| 00:31:46 | AND HAVING DONE SO, WE FOUND OURSELVES FREE TO NOT REVISIT THIS ISSUE FOR FIVE YEARS, FIVE YEARS. |
| 00:31:57 | NOW -- >> MR. |
| 00:31:58 | SPEAKER, I OBJECT REFERENCING THE EX-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO ACTUALLY BROUGHT ABOUT THE SURPLUS THAT WE USED TO ENJOY. |
| 00:32:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S OBJECTION IS NOT IN ORDER. |
| 00:32:13 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 00:32:14 | MR. |
| 00:32:15 | ARMEY: I'M SORRY, MR. SPEAKER, AS I SAID, IN 1997, WE PASSED A DEBT LIMIT INCREASE $450 BILLION AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT THAT WAS IN OFFICE AT THAT TIME. |
| 00:32:29 | IT LASTED FOR FIVE YEARS. |
| 00:32:31 | WE DID NOT HAVE TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE. |
| 00:32:33 | WHICH IS A GOOD THING, BECAUSE FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THIS MAJORITY TAKING MAJORITY HERE, WE DIDN'T REVISIT IT IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE WE HAD SOMETHING CALLED THE GEPHARDT RULE WHICH SAID THE HOUSE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES. |
| 00:32:47 | THEY WOULD JUST BE DONE AUTOMATICALLY. |
| 00:32:51 | IT WAS COMFORTABLE, BUT IT DID NOT, IN FACT, GIVE US THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO REJOICE IN THIS. |
| 00:32:56 | WELL, WHAT WAS MY POINT? |
| 00:32:59 | 1997, WE PASSED A DEBT LIMIT INCREASE OF $450 BILLION, EXACTLY THE REQUEST THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO THIS BODY BY THE OTHER BODY AUTHORED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE OTHER BODY, VOTED FOR BY 37 MEMBERS OF THE OTHER BODY, WILL TAKE US PERHAPS A WHILE. |
| 00:33:19 | THIS SUBSTITUTE THAT WE'RE BEING ASKED ON -- LET ME JUST ASK YOU, THIS SUBSTITUTE THAT YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO VOTE FOR GUARANTEES YOU THE RIGHT TO COME BACK AND DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, YOU ARE GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO DO THIS AGAIN. |
| 00:33:36 | NOW, I JUST DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE GOT THAT MANY MORE ENTERTAINING SPEECHES LEFT IN US. |
| 00:33:41 | I SAY VOTE AGAINST THE SUBSTITUTE, THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT, AND VOTE FOR THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER'S BILL. |
| 00:33:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:33:49 | WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED ON THE MOTION TO COMMIT. |
| 00:33:53 | THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 00:33:55 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 00:33:59 | THE NOES HAVE IT. |
| 00:34:02 | THE MOTION IS NOT AGREED TO. |
| 00:34:03 | MR. |
| 00:34:04 | MOORE: I VOTE ON THE GROUND THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT, I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 00:34:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN OBJECTS ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT, I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 00:34:18 | EVIDENTLY A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 00:34:22 | MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. |
| 00:34:23 | THE CHAIR WILL REDUCE TO FIVE MINUTES THE THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:09:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR WOULD ASK MEMBERS TO CEASE CONVERSATIONS, TAKE THEM FROM THE FLOOR SO WE CAN CONTINUE THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY. |
| 01:09:48 | THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:10:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:10:42 | THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:10:45 | THE CHAIR WOULD ASK MEMBERS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION TO TAKE THEIR SEATS. |
| 01:10:53 | CEASE THEIR CONVERSATIONS. |
| 01:10:58 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RISE? |
| 01:11:00 | MR. LINDER: I CALL UP HOUSE RESOLUTION 465 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:11:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE RESOLUTION. |
| 01:11:08 | THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION 465, RESOLVED THAT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION, IT SHALL BE IN ORDER WITHOUT INTERVENTION OF ANY POINT OF ORDER EXCEPT THOSE ARISING UNDER 302-F OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974 TO CONSIDER IN THE HOUSE THE BILL H. |
| 01:11:28 | R. 4954 TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, TO MODERNIZE AND REFORM PAYMENTS AND THE REGULATORY STRUCTURE OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 01:11:47 | THE BILL SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ FOR AMENDMENT. |
| 01:11:50 | IN LIEU OF THE AMENDMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE PRINTED IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED. |
| 01:12:05 | ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE BILL AS AMENDED ARE WAIVED. |
| 01:12:10 | THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE BILL AS AMENDED TO FINAL PACKAGE WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION EXCEPT, ONE, TWO HOURS OF DEBATE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED WITH ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS AND ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE AND, TWO, ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS. |
| 01:12:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:12:50 | THE CHAIR WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS WHO FEEL THE NEED TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION TO REMOVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. |
| 01:13:04 | THE CHAIR WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS ON THE MAJORITY SIDE TO CEASE CONVERSATIONS. |
| 01:13:11 | MEMBERS IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER. |
| 01:13:18 | MEMBERS IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER WAVING. |
| 01:14:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR WOULD ASK THOSE MEMBERS WHO FEEL THE NEED TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS TO KINDLY TAKE THEIR SEATS. |
| 01:14:07 | MEMBERS WHO FEEL THE NEED TO STAND AND NOT ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION ARE OK. |
| 01:14:14 | THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:14:24 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR. |
| 01:14:27 | MR. |
| 01:14:28 | LINDER: FOR PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY, I YIELD 30 MINUTES OF DEBATE TO MS. |
| 01:14:32 | SLAUGHTER, PENDING WHICH I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:14:37 | H RECENT 465 IS A CLOSED RULE THAT PROVIDES TWO HOURS OF DEBATE IN THE HOUSE WITH ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAYS AND MEANS AND ONE HOUR EQUALLY GUIDED AND CONTROLLED AND THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE. |
| 01:14:53 | H. |
| 01:14:54 | RES. 4 5 WAIVES ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL EXCEPT THOSE ARISING UNDER 302-F. |
| 01:15:02 | CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974. |
| 01:15:05 | H RECENT 465 -- -- H. |
| 01:15:08 | RES. 465 -- MR. |
| 01:15:09 | SPEAKER, I'M HAVING TROUBLE HEARING MYSELF. |
| 01:15:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: AGAIN I WOULD ASK MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE DEBATE ON THE RULE TO LEAVE THE FLOOR. |
| 01:15:16 | MEMBERS WHO FEEL THE NEED TO BE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION TO TAKE THEM OUT OF THE CHAMBER SO WE CAN COMPLETE THE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. |
| 01:15:31 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:15:32 | MR. |
| 01:15:33 | LINDER: MR. |
| 01:15:34 | SPEAKER, H. |
| 01:15:35 | RES. 465 PROVIDES IN LIEU OF THE AMENDMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE PRINTED IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES SHALL -- ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED. |
| 01:15:48 | THE RULE WAIVES ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE BILL AS AMENDED AND PROVIDES ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS. |
| 01:15:55 | MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN APPROVING THIS RULE SO THAT THE FULL HOUSE CAN PROCEED TO CONSIDER IMPORTANT MEDICARE LEGISLATION. |
| 01:16:04 | THE UNDERLYING BILL IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SENIORS TO EASE THE BURDEN OF THE RISING COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:16:16 | H.R. 4954 SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE MEDICARE PROGRAM BY INTRODUCING FREE MARKET FORCES IN ORDER TO BRING DOWN DRUG PRICES AND MEDICAL COSTS OVERALL BY INTRODUCING COMPETITION TO A PROGRAM THAT CURRENTLY HAS NONE. |
| 01:16:32 | IN ADDITION TO UNLEASHING MARKET FORCES ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES, THE BILL SEEKS TO MOVE THE MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE PROGRAM INTO A MORE COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE. |
| 01:16:42 | THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND OFF THE SHELFT OTHER THODICS ARE -- OFF THE SHELF ORTHODICK WILL HELP OTHERS BID COMPETITIVELY. |
| 01:16:58 | IT WILL HELP MOVE MEDICAL CARE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND OUR SENIORS WILL REAP THE BENEFITS OF A PATIENT-SENSITIVE MEDICARE. |
| 01:17:07 | THE HOUSE VOTED ON SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN THE 106TH CONGRESS BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE OTHER BODY IN THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE IN ORDER TO ENACT A LAW TO HELP OUR SENIORS. |
| 01:17:19 | WITH OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH, NOW IN OFFICE, I BELIEVE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEEDS TO SEIZE A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT PROPOSAL THROUGH THE 107TH CONGRESS IN ORDER TO GIVE OUR PRESIDENT A CHANCE TO SIGN SUCH IMPORTANT LEGISLATION INTO LAW. |
| 01:17:37 | I APPLAUD THE HARD WORK AND LEADERSHIP OF MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN THOMAS, CHAIRMAN TAUZIN, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE RANKING MEMBERS IN BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION TO THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY. |
| 01:17:51 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SUPPORT H. |
| 01:17:56 | RES. 465, A RULE THAT WILL ALLOW THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER AND PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF SENIORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING THEM -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. |
| 01:18:08 | THE POINT OF ORDER HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE HOUSE NOT BEING IN ORDER. |
| 01:18:10 | THE CHAIR WOULD ASK MEMBERS WHO FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATION TO TAKE THEM FROM THE FLOOR SO THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA CAN BE HEARD AND ALL THE OTHER SPEAKERS CAN BE HEARD. |
| 01:18:24 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. MR. |
| 01:18:25 | LINDER: I REPEAT, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SUPPORT H. |
| 01:18:29 | RES. 465, A RULE THAT WILL ALLOW THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER AND PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF SENIORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY PROVIDING THEM AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:18:39 | MR. SPEAKER, I SAID EARLIER ALL TIME YIELDED IN THE PURSUIT OF THIS PASSAGE OF THE RULE IS YIELDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY. |
| 01:18:48 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:18:49 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 01:18:52 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:18:53 | MS. SLAUGHTER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:18:54 | SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA FOR YIELDING ME THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES AND YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME AND ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 01:19:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:19:04 | MS. |
| 01:19:05 | SLAUGHTER: MR. SPEAKER, WITH THE RULE BEFORE US TODAY, THIS BODY IS BEING ASKED TO HAND OVER ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS IN HISTORY TO PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 01:19:14 | MEDICARE IS A CRITICAL PROGRAM, A PROGRAM THAT BENEFITS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND ONE THE AMERICAN FAMILIES HAVE COME TO DEPEND ON FOR THEIR LOVED ONES IN NEED. |
| 01:19:25 | BUT TODAY IN A NOD TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, THE LEADERSHIP HAS SHUT OUT ANY DEBATE. |
| 01:19:31 | NO DEMOCRAT SUBSTITUTE WILL BE ALLOWED AND NO AMENDMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR OUR SENIORS WILL BE PERMITTED AND ANYONE VOICING DESCENT HAS BEEN SILENCED. |
| 01:19:42 | INDEED IN THE WEE HOURS IN THE RULES COMMITTEE, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MADE IT CLEAR HE WANTED THE FREE MARKET TO DETERMINE DRUG PRICES AND DECLARED THAT MEDICARE WAS A SOVIET STYLE PROGRAM, ECHOING THE SENTIMENT MADE BY HIS FORMER MEMBER, NEWT GINGRICH THAT MEDICARE SHOULD BE ALLOWED, QUOTE, TO WITHER ON THE VINE, END QUOTE. |
| 01:20:04 | MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE CONTEMPT FOR MEDICARE RUNS DEEP WITHIN THIS LEADERSHIP, AS IT DOES FOR OTHER VITAL SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS. |
| 01:20:14 | BY CALLING MEDICARE SOVIET STYLE, YOU CAN ENSURE THIS IS NOT A MANDATE TO ENSURE THE PROGRAM, RATHER THE OPPOSITE. |
| 01:20:23 | MS. |
| 01:20:24 | LINDER: YOU ARE MISQUOTING SOMETHING I SAID AND WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND. |
| 01:20:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN HAS NOT BEEN RESPONDED TO. |
| 01:20:33 | YOU REFERRED DIRECTLY TO ME. |
| 01:20:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE TIME IS CONTROLLED BY THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:20:38 | MS. |
| 01:20:39 | SLAUGHTER: BUT RATHER THE OPPOSITE, A CALL TO LEAVE SENIORS TO THE MERCY OF THE FREE MARKET RATHER THAN GUARANTEE THEM LIVABLE, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE. |
| 01:20:49 | MY CONSTITUENTS AND OTHERS AROUND THE NATION ARE REELING FROM PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING TURNED OVER TO THE SO-CALLED FREE MARKET. |
| 01:20:55 | UTILITY RATES, CABLE RATES, YOU NAME IT, THE FREE MARKET IS ENSURED EXORBITANT PRICES. |
| 01:21:04 | MOREOVER, THE TIMING OF THIS PROPOSAL COULD NOT BE WORSE. |
| 01:21:07 | THE PROPOSAL PLACES THE PROGRAM IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT A TIME WHEN PRIVATE INSURERS HAVE DROPPED MEDICARE CHOICE BENEFICIARIES BY THE THOUSANDS. |
| 01:21:17 | PRIVATE INSURERS WILL NEVE TANLLY OFFER PLANS -- INEVITABLY OFFER PLANS AND MOVE OUT OF MARKS, LEADING TO UNPREDICTABILITY FOR OUR SENIORS. |
| 01:21:27 | A GIVEN DRUG THAT MIGHT BE COVERED ONE MONTH BUT NOT THE NEXT. |
| 01:21:30 | PREMIUMS COULD DOUBLE FROM YEAR TO YEAR WITHOUT WARNING. |
| 01:21:33 | AND THE RULE BEFORE US IS ONE OF THE MOST HEAVY HANDED PROCEDURES TO COME OUT OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND GIVEN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING. |
| 01:21:41 | AMENDMENT AFTER AMENDMENT WAS BLOCKED FROM FLOOR CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:21:45 | MY COLLEAGUES FROM FLORIDA, MS. |
| 01:21:46 | THURMAN AND MR. |
| 01:21:47 | ALLEN OF MAINE HAD THE REMARKABLE SENSE OF IDEA OF REQUIRING THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS NEGOTIATE WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES, A NECESSITY BEFORE WE PT A FEDERAL PROGRAM ON TOP -- PUT A FEDERAL PROGRAM ON TOP OF IT. |
| 01:22:02 | CANADA DOES IT, GERMANY, ITALY, JAPAN, VIRTUALLY EVERY DEVELOPED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO LOWERING DRUG PRICES FOR ITS CITIZENS. |
| 01:22:15 | EVEN THE UNITED STATES DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE SIS WHEN LOWERING THE PRICES OF CIPRO DURING THE ANTHRAX ATTACKS LAST FALL. |
| 01:22:22 | BUT UNDER THIS RULE, THE AMENDMENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. |
| 01:22:26 | THIS IS EVEN MORE REMARKABLE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE UNDERLYING BILL PROHIBITS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM PUSHING FOR LOWER PRESCRIPTION PRICES. |
| 01:22:33 | MY COLLEAGUE, MR. |
| 01:22:35 | PALLONE, OF NEW JERSEY, AND MRS. |
| 01:22:36 | CAPPS, OF CALIFORNIA, ATTEMPTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SENIORS HAVE THE OPTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE ESPECIALLY IN THOSE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WHERE INSURANCE COMPANIES CHOSE NOT TO OFFER A PLAN. |
| 01:22:48 | UNDER THE CURRENT BILL, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SENIORS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO COVERAGE AT ALL IF INSURERS SHOULD DECIDE NOT TO COVER THEIR AREA. |
| 01:22:57 | THE AMENDMENT WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY, HOWEVER, UNDER THIS RULE. |
| 01:23:02 | INSTEAD, WE ARE LEFT WITH A FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED DOCUMENT THAT FAILS OUR CONSTITUENTS ON EVERY LEVEL. |
| 01:23:08 | THE PROPOSED PLAN WOULD BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH EITHER H. |
| 01:23:12 | M.O.'S OR DRUG-ONLY INSURANCE PLANS. |
| 01:23:15 | THE FACT THAT DRUG-ONLY INSURANCE PLANS DO NOT EXIST IN THE PRIVATE MARKET DOES NOT DETER PROPONENTS FROM THEIR PRIVATIZATION AGENDA. |
| 01:23:22 | IN FACT, THEY ARE SO BENT ON PRIVATIZING THE DRUG BENEFIT THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO BRIBE PRIVATE PLANS AND THE SUBSIDY IS AS LARGE AS 99. |
| 01:23:31 | THE% IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO OFFER DRUG COVERAGE TO SENIORS, REGARDLESS OF THE QUALITY OF SERVICE OR EXTENT OF THE BENEFIT. |
| 01:23:38 | MR. |
| 01:23:39 | SPEAKER, A LITTLE MORE HISTORY MAY BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:23:41 | THE MEDICARE PROGRAM WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED BECAUSE THE PRIVATE SECTOR DID NOT OFFER AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE HEALTH INSURANCE TO THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED. |
| 01:23:51 | HEALTH CARE HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED IN THE PAST 30 YEARS, BUT WHAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THE FACT THAT THE PRIVATE MARKET DOESN'T WANT TO INSURE PEOPLE WHO ARE OLD, DISABLED, AND LIKELY TO NEED CARE. |
| 01:24:02 | MR. SPEAKER, THE INADEQUACIES IN THIS BILL CONTINUE, AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT THEM BRIEFLY. |
| 01:24:07 | THE MEASURE PENALIZES SENIORS WHO RECEIVE AID WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FROM CHARITABLE, CHURCH, OR STATE PROGRAMS BY NOT COUNTING THE COST PAID BY THOSE PARTIES TOWARD THE INDIVIDUAL'S MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE. |
| 01:24:20 | SENIORS MAY ACTUALLY HAVE TO DROP OUT OF PROGRAMS LIKE NEW YORK'S ELDERLY INSURANCE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE, THE EPIC PROGRAM, IN AN ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN THEIR MEDICARE BENEFITS. |
| 01:24:31 | THE PROPOSAL HAS NUMEROUS GAPS THAT LEAVES SENIORS WITHOUT COVERAGE WHILE REQUIRING THEM TO PAY PREMIUMS. |
| 01:24:37 | FOR EXAMPLE, EARLIER THIS MONTH I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A 71-YEAR-OLD CONSTITUENT WHO WAS TAKING MEDICATION TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEADLY FUNGAL LUNG INFECTION. |
| 01:24:48 | THE DRUG COST HER NEARLY $1,000 A MONTH. |
| 01:24:51 | UNDER THE MAJORITY PLAN, THIS WOMAN WILL STILL PAY WELL OVER $3,000 A YEAR FOR THIS MEDICATION. |
| 01:24:58 | AND IN ADDITION, SHE WOULD HAVE TO DROP OUT OF NEW YORK'S PROGRAM WHICH IS CURRENTLY HEMMING HER WITH THESE EXPENSES. |
| 01:25:05 | THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES CO-PAYMENTS AND PREMIUMS AND DEDUCTIBLES THAT WILL BE UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY LOW INCOME SENIORS. |
| 01:25:13 | THE $35 PREMIUM IS A SUGGESTED AMOUNT AND NOT A GUARANTEE. |
| 01:25:17 | INSURERS COULD CHOSE TO CHARGE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THAT AMOUNT IF THEY CHOSE TO. |
| 01:25:21 | THE BILL IS OPPOSED BY NUMEROUS RESPECTED ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING, AARP, FAMILIES U. |
| 01:25:28 | S.A., AND THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE. |
| 01:25:33 | MR. |
| 01:25:34 | SPEAKER, THE MAJORITY HAS TAKEN THE PROVERBIAL SOUTH THAT HE'S A SILK PURSE. |
| 01:25:40 | MY CONSTITUENTS AREN'T FOOLED, I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES AREN'T EITHER, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:25:45 | I WANT TO THE GENTLELADY TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA FOR A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST. |
| 01:25:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:25:52 | MS. |
| 01:25:53 | WOOLSEY: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD, EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:26:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:26:05 | THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO. |
| 01:26:09 | >> MR. |
| 01:26:10 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OP SIX TO THIS BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN LIKE MY MOTHER. |
| 01:26:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:26:22 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:26:24 | MS. |
| 01:26:25 | LEE: THANK YOU I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:26:33 | THAT IS A SHAME. |
| 01:26:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:26:37 | THE GENTLELADY FROM INDIANA. |
| 01:26:41 | MRS. CARSON: MR. |
| 01:26:42 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SENIOR WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE, PARTICULARLY THOSE SENIOR WOMEN WHO SUFFER FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. |
| 01:26:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:27:00 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:27:01 | MS. |
| 01:27:02 | NAPTO: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAMEFUL BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO OUR SENIOR WOMEN WHO LIVE LONGER AND HAVE THE LARGEST CONSUMMATION PURCHASE OF DRUGS. |
| 01:27:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:27:23 | >> PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 01:27:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA WILL STATE HIS PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 01:27:28 | MR. LINDER: MR. SPEAKER, AT WHAT POINT DOES THIS SERIES OF SPEECHES BECOME CREDITED AGAINST THEIR TIME? |
| 01:27:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS, THE CHAIR WILL COUNT AGAINST THE MINORITY'S TIME ANY SPEECHES THAT ARE GIVEN. |
| 01:27:53 | TO THIS POINT, THE CHAIR HAS NOT HEARD ANY. |
| 01:27:56 | THE GENTLELADY FROM HAWAII. |
| 01:27:59 | MRS. MINK: MR. |
| 01:28:00 | SPEAKER -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM HAWAII. |
| 01:28:03 | MRS. MINK: MR. |
| 01:28:05 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTERED THEM INTO THE RECORD ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENTS TO OPPOSE THE RULE AND THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL AS A FATAL STEP TOWARDS PRIVATIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 01:28:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:28:20 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA -- THE CHAIR WOULD ADVISE THAT THAT ONE CAME CLOSE. |
| 01:28:30 | MS. |
| 01:28:31 | SLAUGHTER: THANK YOU, WE'RE WATCHING. |
| 01:28:33 | MS. |
| 01:28:34 | ROYBAL-ALLARD: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:28:36 | SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO WOMEN. |
| 01:28:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:28:46 | THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA. |
| 01:28:47 | MS. THURMAN: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE AND TO THE SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:28:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:28:59 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:29:01 | MS. |
| 01:29:02 | MCCARTHY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THE SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:29:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:29:12 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:29:13 | MRS. |
| 01:29:14 | TAUSCHER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:29:15 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:29:16 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN, MY SISTERS, AND MY MOTHER. |
| 01:29:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:29:27 | THE GENTLELADY FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 01:29:28 | MS. KILPATRICK: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:29:29 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:29:30 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS, EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM REPUBLICAN BILL THAT IS HARMFUL TO WOMEN ALL OVER AMERICA. |
| 01:29:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 01:29:44 | MS. |
| 01:29:45 | MCCULLUM: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:29:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:29:52 | THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA. |
| 01:29:54 | MS. BROWN: MR. |
| 01:29:56 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO GO ON RECORD AGAINST THIS SHAMEFUL G. |
| 01:30:00 | O.P. PRESCRIPTION DRUG SO-CALLED BENEFIT THAT IS VERY AGAINST MY GRANDMOTHER AND ALL OF THE GRANDMOTHERS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:30:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:30:12 | THE GENTLELADY -- THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA. |
| 01:30:16 | MRS. MEEK: MR. |
| 01:30:17 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD. |
| 01:30:20 | THIS IS A SHAM BILL AND I REPRESENT SENIOR WOMEN VERY SERIOUSLY. |
| 01:30:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:30:31 | THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS. |
| 01:30:35 | >> THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:30:37 | SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL BECAUSE IT DOES HURT SENIOR WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR, AND ANOTHER BIG WINDFALL FOR THE CORPORATE INDUSTRY. |
| 01:30:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:30:50 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:30:52 | MS. LOFGREN: MR. |
| 01:30:53 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BOGUS BILL THAT WILL HURT OLDER WOMEN. |
| 01:31:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:31:03 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:31:05 | MS. |
| 01:31:06 | MILLENDER-MCDONALD: MR. |
| 01:31:08 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:31:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:31:17 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEVADA. |
| 01:31:18 | MS. |
| 01:31:19 | BERKLEY: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:31:21 | SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD, EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAMEFUL BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO THE SENIOR WOMEN IN MY DISTRICT. |
| 01:31:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:31:33 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:31:34 | MS. |
| 01:31:35 | SOLIS: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:31:36 | SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM IN THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL. |
| 01:31:49 | [SPEAKING SPANISH] |
| 01:31:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:31:58 | THE CHAIR WOULD ADVISE THE GENTLEWOMAN SHE NEEDS TO PROVIDE A TRANSLATION FOR THE RECORD. |
| 01:32:04 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO. |
| 01:32:05 | MS. KAPTUR: YES, MR. |
| 01:32:07 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND EXPRESS MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS PITIFUL BILL THAT DENIES SENIOR WOMEN ACROSS AMERICA ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS GAVE ALL THE MONEY AWAY TO COMPANIES LIKE ENRON IN TAX CUTS THAT THEY DIDN'T DESERVE. |
| 01:32:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:32:28 | >> OBJECTION. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: AN OBJECTION IS HEARD. |
| 01:32:31 | DOES THE GENTLEMAN -- AN OBJECTION WAS HEARD TO THE LAST REQUEST TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 01:32:36 | THE GENTLELADY FROM -- ARE YOU FROM OREGON? |
| 01:32:40 | MS. |
| 01:32:41 | HOOMY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN NO BENEFIT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROPOSAL THAT'S HARMFUL AGAINST SENIORS IN MY STATE. |
| 01:32:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:32:52 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:32:54 | MRS. DAVIS: THANK YOU, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS UNACCEPTABLE BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN IN MY DISTRICT. |
| 01:33:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:33:04 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:33:07 | MS. VELAZQUEZ: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:33:09 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:33:10 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS A GIVE-AWAY TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AT THE EXPENSE OF SENIORS AND ESPECIALLY WOMEN IN OUR COUNTRY. |
| 01:33:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:33:25 | THE GENTLELADY FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 01:33:26 | MS. |
| 01:33:27 | RIVERS: MR. |
| 01:33:29 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS TERRIBLE BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:33:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:33:39 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:33:43 | MS. WATSON: MR. |
| 01:33:45 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS MOST DECEPTIVE BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO MY 92-YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND OTHER SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:33:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:33:59 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA. |
| 01:34:01 | MRS. CLAYTON: MR. |
| 01:34:02 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT'S PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO OLDER WOMEN WHO LIVE LONGER, HAVE MORE DISEASE, HAVE LESS MONEY, AND NEED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT THEY CAN AFFORD. |
| 01:34:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:34:18 | THE GENTLELADY FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 01:34:19 | >> MR. |
| 01:34:20 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL WHICH I DEEM TO BE A BETRAYAL OF THE WOMEN OF THE GREATEST GENERATION. |
| 01:34:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:34:34 | THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 01:34:36 | MS. |
| 01:34:37 | SCHAKOWSKY: MR. |
| 01:34:39 | CHAIRMAN, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN AND TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. |
| 01:34:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:34:55 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:34:56 | MS. |
| 01:34:58 | SANCHEZ: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:34:59 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:35:00 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND TO ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL THAT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN, THE HEART AND THE SOUL OF OUR FAMILIES. |
| 01:35:11 | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 01:35:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:35:14 | THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS. |
| 01:35:15 | MS. JACKSON LEE: MR. |
| 01:35:18 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THIS CONSTRUCTIVE INSURANCE PROTECTION ACT THAT HURTS THE GRANDMOTHERS MOTHERS, AUNTS AND SISTERS AND ALL OF THE SENIORS AND THOSE DISABLED AND PROVIDES ZERO BENEFITS TO AMERICANS. |
| 01:35:32 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:35:33 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:35:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:35:36 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:35:38 | MRS. MALONEY: MR. |
| 01:35:39 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS IN OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE. |
| 01:35:42 | IT WOULD NOT ALLOW A DEMOCRATIC SUBSTITUTE, AND TO THE UNDERLYING BILL. |
| 01:35:49 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:35:50 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:35:51 | MS. |
| 01:35:52 | HARMAN: MR. SPEAKER, ON BEHALF OF SENIORS IN MY DISTRICT, PARTICULARLY WOMEN AND PARTICULARLY VET TRANS, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL. |
| 01:36:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:36:12 | THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO. |
| 01:36:13 | >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 01:36:14 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS IN OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE ON BEHALF OF THE SENIOR WOMEN IN MY DISTRICT AND AROUND THIS COUNTRY WHO LIVE LONGER THAN MEN AND PAY FAR MORE MONEY FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:36:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:36:33 | MS. WATERS: MR. |
| 01:36:34 | SPEAKER AND MEMBERS, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER MY OBJECTION AND OPPOSITION TO THIS IRRESPONSIBLE BILL THAT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE SENIOR WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:36:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:36:49 | THE GENTLELADY FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:36:50 | MRS. |
| 01:36:53 | MCKINNY:-- MS. |
| 01:36:54 | MCKINNEY: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:36:55 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:36:56 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS IN OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL WHICH IS A SHAM AND DOES NOTHING FOR SENIORS IN MY DISTRICT, IN MY STATE, AND IN MY CONAT THIS -- COUNTRY. |
| 01:37:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:37:11 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:37:12 | MS. ESHOO: MR. |
| 01:37:13 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 01:37:16 | AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THE BILL THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY THE SENIOR WOMEN THAT I REPRESENT. |
| 01:37:25 | THEY DESERVE A GREAT DEAL MORE AND MUCH BETTER AND ALL THE WOMEN OF THE COUNTRY DO. |
| 01:37:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:37:32 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:37:34 | MS. PELOSI: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:37:35 | SPEAKER. |
| 01:37:36 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO VEE ADVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM BILL WHICH IS A CRUEL HOAX ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CRUEL TO AMERICA'S SENIOR WOMEN WHO RAISED OUR FAMILIES AND DESERVE BETTER. |
| 01:37:52 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:37:53 | SPEAKER. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:37:54 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 01:37:59 | MS. DELAURO: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD IN OPPOSITION TO THIS INSURANCE INDUSTRY PHARMACEUTICAL WRITTEN BILL THAT DOESN'T DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR COVER MOST OF AMERICA'S SENIORS, AND IS VERY HARMFUL TO WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:38:16 | THOSE TODAY AND THOSE WHO ARE AN OLDER GENERATION. |
| 01:38:19 | THANK YOU. |
| 01:38:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:38:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 01:38:44 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK HAS RESERVED HER TIME. |
| 01:38:47 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:38:54 | MR. LINDER: MR. |
| 01:38:56 | SPEAKER -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR WOULD ASK FOR ORDER. |
| 01:39:07 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:39:08 | MR. |
| 01:39:09 | LINDER: MR. SPEAKER, I, TOO, ENJOYED THAT PARADE. |
| 01:39:12 | I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED THE FACT THAT NOT ONE OF THEM HAD A PARTICULAR THING TO SAY ABOUT THE BILL. |
| 01:39:18 | SO TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE BILL AND HOW IT IMFACTS WOMEN, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE LADY WHO WROTE THE BILL, THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MRS. |
| 01:39:27 | JOHNSON. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:39:31 | MRS. |
| 01:39:32 | JOHNSON: MR. |
| 01:39:33 | CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE HAD A PARADE OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE OTHER SIDE CLAIM THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS HARMFUL TO SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:39:45 | I WONDER HOW THEY COULD HAVE SO LOST TOUCH WITH THE LIVES OF WOMEN IN AMERICA AND WOMEN IN THEIR DISTRICTS. |
| 01:39:58 | THIS BILL REPRESENTS THE GREATEST LEAP FORWARD IN WOMEN'S HEALTH SINCE THE PASSAGE OF MEDICARE. |
| 01:40:04 | I WAS POLITE TO YOU, AND I ASK THAT YOU BE POLITE TO ME. |
| 01:40:09 | FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WOMEN, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME WOMEN, WILL HAVE THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS COVERED, PERHAPS YOU DIDN'T READ THE BILL. |
| 01:40:20 | YOU KNOW AND I KNOW THAT WOMEN LIVE LONGER THAN MEN, AND THE GREAT MAJORITY OF SENIORS ARE WOMEN. |
| 01:40:28 | PERHAPS YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT RETIRED WOMEN ARE LIVING ON HALF THE INCOME OF RETIRED MEN. |
| 01:40:36 | THAT THE AVERAGE INCOME OF RETIRED MEN IN AMERICA IS $30,000 AND THE AVERAGE INCOME OF RETIRED WOMEN IS $15,000, AND RETIRED WOMEN OVER 85 IS $10,000. |
| 01:40:49 | UNDER THIS BILL THOSE LOW-INCOME WOMEN WILL RECEIVE 100% OF THE COSTS OF THEIR DRUGS, OF THEIR PREMIUMS, OF THE DEDUCTIBLE, AND OF THE CO-INSURANCE UP TO MAYBE $2 TO $5. |
| 01:41:07 | THEY'LL HAVE A RIGHT TO CHARGE THAT MUCH CO-INSURANCE. |
| 01:41:10 | THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE BOON TO THESE WOMEN. |
| 01:41:13 | THEY WILL HAVE THE SECURITY OF KNOWING THAT EVERY DOLLAR OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION COSTS UP TO $2,000 WILL BE COVERED IF YOUR INCOME IS UNDER 175% OF POVERTY, AND THAT'S 44% OF ALL SENIORS. |
| 01:41:31 | YES, THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING FOR WOMEN IN AMERICA. |
| 01:41:38 | THIS BILL IS A GIANT STEP FORWARD FOR SENIORS IN AMERICA. |
| 01:41:40 | YES, THIS IS THE GREATEST LEAP FORWARD FOR WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE SINCE THE FOUNDING OF MEDICARE, AND ONCE YOU HAVE READ THE BILL, I WILL BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT DETAILS, BUT THERE CAN BE NO ARGUING WITH THE FACT THAT THE FIRST $2,000 OF DRUG EXPENSE FOR PEOPLE UNDER 175% OF POVERTY IS COMPLETELY COVERED, AND BY SAVING THE STATES $40 BILLION, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO UP THAT LADDER OF INCOME. |
| 01:42:12 | SO LET'S TRY TO TALK ABOUT THE FACTS TONIGHT. |
| 01:42:15 | LET'S HAVE A LITTLE LESS THEATER. |
| 01:42:17 | LET'S HAVE A LITTLE MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION. |
| 01:42:22 | AND LET'S TRY TO DO AMERICA PROUD AS WE TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN MEDICARE. |
| 01:42:29 | I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD. |
| 01:42:33 | MR. THOMAS: IN TERMS OF THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH OSTEOPOROSIS, DO WE INCLUDE IN THIS BILL ADDITIONAL MONEY TO ASSIST IN MAMMOGRAPHY? |
| 01:42:44 | MRS. JOHNSON: WE CERTAINLY DO. |
| 01:42:47 | WE FIXED ALL THE PROBLEMS SO THEY'LL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE WOMEN OF AMERICA, AND WE PROVIDE ACCESS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO WOMEN, MORE IMPORTANT TO WOMEN THAN MEN, AND THAT IS ACCESS TO DISEASE MANAGEMENT PLANS TO MANAGE CHRONIC ILLNESS. |
| 01:43:03 | IT'S WOMEN WHO ARE PLAGUED WITH FOUR, FIVE, SIX CHRONIC ILLNESSES. |
| 01:43:07 | MR. |
| 01:43:08 | THOMAS: ISN'T IT TRUE DURING THEIR WORKING LIVES MENS VERY OFTEN HAVE PHYSICALS. |
| 01:43:14 | IT'S OFTENTIMES PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL OK SIGNIFICANCE TO GET A PHYSICAL PERIODICALLY, AND MANY TIMES WOMEN WHO AREN'T WORKING DON'T GET THAT PHYSICAL. |
| 01:43:23 | ISN'T THAT TRUE IN THIS BILL THE FIRST TIME EVERY SENIOR WHO BECOMES MEDICARE ELIGIBLE, THAT MEANS EVERY WOMAN GETS A FREE PHYSICAL? |
| 01:43:31 | MRS. JOHNSON: EVERY WOMAN GETS A FREE PHYSICAL UNDER THIS BILL, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE AN OPTION FOR A PLAN THAT PROVIDES ENTIRELY FREE, PREVENTIVE BENEFITS ACROSS THE BOARD TO MEN AND WOMEN. |
| 01:43:45 | THIS IS AN ENORMOUS ADVANCEMENT FOR WOMEN BECAUSE WOMEN ARE THE ONES WHO GET THE POOREST HEALTH CARE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, AND THEY WILL HAVE AN OPTION TO A PLAN THAT HAS FREE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS ACROSS THE BOARD IF THEY CHOOSE IT, AND THEY WILL ALL GET A FREE BASELINE PHYSICAL WHEN THEY ENTER MEDICARE. |
| 01:44:03 | YES A. GREAT ADVANCEMENT FOR SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:44:06 | -- YES, A GREAT ADVANCEMENT FOR SENIOR WOMEN. |
| 01:44:10 | I YIELD MY TIME. |
| 01:44:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:44:12 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:44:13 | MS. SLAUGHTER: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR. |
| 01:44:16 | MCGOVERN. |
| 01:44:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS. |
| 01:44:19 | MR. MCGOVERN: I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS SHAM RULE AND TO THIS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE BILL OFFERED BY THE MAJORITY. |
| 01:44:23 | EVERY MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE KNOWS THAT THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING SENIOR CITIZENS IS THE SOARING COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:44:31 | OUR SENIORS NEED RELIEF AND REAL RELIEF NOW. |
| 01:44:33 | MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES GO ON ABOUT HOW THEY SUPPORT GIVING OUR SENIORS RELIEF, AND THEN THEY SEND THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A BENEFIT BILL TO THE HOUSE FLOOR. |
| 01:44:42 | THIS GUARANTEES SENIORS NOTHING, NOTHING. |
| 01:44:45 | IT'S A BAD BILL. |
| 01:44:46 | AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT GETS UP AND TELLS US HOW WONDERFUL AND STRONG HER BILL IS, YET HER AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP MAKE IT UNAMENDABLE. |
| 01:44:55 | NO SUBSTITUTE, NO AMENDMENTS. |
| 01:44:58 | NO BIPARTISANSHIP. |
| 01:44:59 | TWO HOURS TOTAL OF DEBATE. |
| 01:45:00 | THAT'S IT. |
| 01:45:01 | HOW SAD. |
| 01:45:02 | HOW OUTRAGEOUS. |
| 01:45:03 | IF THERE EVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN OPEN AND FAIR PROCESS, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TODAY. |
| 01:45:08 | THERE WERE EVEN GOOD REPUBLICAN AMENDMENTS THAT WERE OFFERED BEFORE THE RULES COMMITTEE THAT WERE RULED OUT OF ORDER. |
| 01:45:13 | BUT, NO, YOU ARE AFRAID YOU MIGHT LOSE BECAUSE DEEP IN YOUR HEARTS YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BILL IS NOTHING MORE THAN A POLITICAL SOUND BITE, AND YOU DESERVE TO LOSE. |
| 01:45:21 | VOTE NO ON THIS RULE AND VOTE NO ON THIS BAD BILL. |
| 01:45:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 01:45:26 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:45:28 | MR. LINDER: MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM WEST VIRGINIA, MS. |
| 01:45:33 | CAPITO. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM WEST VIRGINIA. |
| 01:45:36 | MS. CAPITO: TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU TO OFFER MY REMARKS ON A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN. |
| 01:45:40 | ON MAY 1, 2002, FOUR OF MY CONSTITUENTS BOARDED A BUS, TRAVELED FROM MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA, TO WASHINGTON, D. |
| 01:45:49 | C., TO OFFER THEIR VOICE AND THEIR STORY ON HOW THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DILEMMA HAS RESHAPED THEIR LIVES. |
| 01:45:55 | THAT DAY I HEARD EACH OF THEIR VOICE, AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S A VOICE I HEAR AND WE ALL HEAR ALL TOO OFTEN. |
| 01:46:03 | IN EACH OF THE TOWN MEETINGS I HAVE HAD THE MAJORITY OF THE QUESTIONS DEAL WITH THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:46:11 | AFTER ONE PARTICULAR TOWN MEETING, A YOUNG LADY APPROACHED ME. |
| 01:46:14 | SHE SHOWED ME A LIST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT HER MOTHER WAS TAKING AND THE COST OF EACH DRUG LISTED BESIDE THEM. |
| 01:46:20 | LOOKING AT THE LIST, MY HEART SANK. |
| 01:46:22 | THESE FIGURES WERE STAGGERING. |
| 01:46:26 | ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF HER MOTHER'S MEDICATION, LACK OF MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR HER MOTHER, THIS YOUNG WOMAN, WHO HAD A FAMILY OF HER OWN, WAS PAYING FOR HER MOTHER'S MEDICATION. |
| 01:46:36 | IS THIS RIGHT, MR. |
| 01:46:38 | SPEAKER? NO, IT IS NOT. |
| 01:46:40 | OUR SENIORS DESERVE THE PEACE OF MIND OF KNOWING THAT THEY CAN AND WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 01:46:47 | ANXIETY OVER THE AFFORDIBILITY OF PRESCRIBED -- AFFORDABILITY OF PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS SHOULD NOT SPOIL ONE'S GOLDEN YEARS. |
| 01:46:55 | THAT IS WHY I AM STANDING HERE TONIGHT. |
| 01:46:57 | I AM CHOOSING TO STAND HERE AND TELL THAT YOU MEDICARE NEEDS TO OFFER A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 01:47:02 | TO BE BLUNT, WE NEED TO OFFER IT -- WE NEEDED TO OFFER IT YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE OR THE DAY BEFORE. |
| 01:47:09 | THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE RESOLVED. |
| 01:47:11 | IT'S OUR DUTY AS REPRESENTATIVES TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE'S VOICE AND THEIR VOICE SAYS NOW IS THE TIME. |
| 01:47:19 | I URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND UP, PASS THIS RULE, PASS THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG LEGISLATION WHICH IS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL TO THE SENIOR WOMEN OF AMERICA. |
| 01:47:30 | THANK YOU. |
| 01:47:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:47:34 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:47:35 | MS. SLAUGHTER: I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. |
| 01:47:38 | RANGEL. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:47:40 | MR. RANGEL: THIS RULE DOESN'T ALLOW DEMOCRATS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT WE THINK WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA. |
| 01:47:46 | THIS RULE CLEARLY, THE MAJORITY FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ENOUGH VOTES TO SUPPORT THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, BUT IT WOULD JUST SEEM TO ME THAT IT'S NOT A RULE AGAINST DEMOCRATS, IT'S NOT A RULE EVEN AGAINST THE INTEGRITY OF THE HOUSE, IT'S A RULE AGAINST THE SENIOR CITIZENS WHO REALLY DESERVE BETTER TREATMENT THAN THEY ARE GETTING. |
| 01:48:09 | I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME TO THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. |
| 01:48:14 | HOYER. |
| 01:48:15 | MR. HOYER: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE. |
| 01:48:19 | THERE MAY BE NO MORE SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WE CONSIDER ON THE FLOOR OF THIS HOUSE -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK NEEDS TO REMAIN ON HIS FEET WHILE YIELDING. |
| 01:48:31 | MR. HOYER: THAT WE CONSIDER IN THIS HOUSE THIS YEAR. |
| 01:48:34 | THE GENTLELADY FROM WEST VIRGINIA THAT JUST SPOKE SAID WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT. |
| 01:48:40 | SHE'S RIGHT. |
| 01:48:41 | THIS ISSUE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE WOMEN THAT SHE MENTIONED, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MRS. |
| 01:48:51 | JOHNSON MENTIONED, AND I WOULD SAY CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS THAT EVERY ONE OF THE WOMEN ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE REPRESENTS AND CAME AND SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT AND THEREFORE NOT SUPPORTING THIS RULE. |
| 01:49:06 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT SAID SHE WAS POLITE TO THOSE PEOPLE, AND SHE WAS. |
| 01:49:11 | BUT I SUGGEST TO THE GENTLELADY THAT THIS RULE IS NOT POLITE. |
| 01:49:17 | THIS RULE DENIGRATES THE IMPORTANCE AND SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE. |
| 01:49:25 | WHEN YOUR SIDE TOOK OVER IN 1995, JERALD SOLOMON -- GERALD SOLOMON, THE THEN CHAIRMAN OF THE RULES COMMITTEE SAID THIS, THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES WILL BE OPENNESS AND FAIRNESS. |
| 01:49:39 | THE RULES COMMITTEE WILL NO LONGER RIG THE PROCEDURE TO CONTRIVE A PREDETERMINED OUTCOME. |
| 01:49:47 | FROM NOW ON, THE RULES COMMITTEE WILL CLEAR THE STAGE FOR DEBATE AND LET THE HOUSE WORK ITS WILL. |
| 01:49:59 | YOU HAVE, OF COURSE, RETREATED FROM THAT STATEMENT. |
| 01:50:04 | YOU HAVE NOT HONORED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE. |
| 01:50:08 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT WHO SAYS -- WHO BILL THOMAS SAYS WROTE THIS BILL WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND THIS BILL AGAINST AN ALTERNATIVE THAT CAN BE FULLY DEBATED. |
| 01:50:23 | AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE SENIORS TO WHOM SHE REFERS WILL, IN FACT, BE PROTECTED. |
| 01:50:28 | THE GENTLELADY SERVED WITH BILL GRATTYSON -- GRATTISON, HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND ONE OF THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE. |
| 01:50:39 | THEN HE LEFT HERE AND HE WENT TO HEAD UP THE INSURANCE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:50:48 | MAY I HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL MINUTE? |
| 01:50:51 | MS. |
| 01:50:52 | SLAUGHTER: I YIELD -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW YORK DOESN'T NEED TO REMAIN ON HIS FEET. |
| 01:50:57 | MR. HOYER: HE WENT TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. |
| 01:51:00 | WHAT DOES BILL SAY? |
| 01:51:03 | A REPUBLICAN, NOT A DEMOCRAT. |
| 01:51:05 | A MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, RETIRED. |
| 01:51:09 | WHAT DOES HE SAY? |
| 01:51:10 | A MEMBER -- REPRESENTING THE INSURANCE AGENCY, HE SAYS THIS BILL WILL NOT WORK, MRS. |
| 01:51:16 | JOHNSON. |
| 01:51:17 | THAT'S WHAT BILL SAYS. |
| 01:51:22 | AND THE SHAME ON THIS DEMOCRATIC BODY IS THAT AN ISSUE THAT ALL OF US AGREE IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WILL NOT BE FULLY DEBATED CONSISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT MR. |
| 01:51:35 | SOLOMON ENUNCIATED IN 1995 WHEN THE REFORMERS TOOK OVER THIS HOUSE. |
| 01:51:42 | HOW SAD IT IS, HOW SAD IT IS THAT WE COME HERE AT THIS HOUR TO DEBATE ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, ALL OF US, ALL OF US HAVE HEARD THE LAMENT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, BE THEY FEMALE OR MALE WHO CANNOT PAY THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:52:09 | IT IS OUR DUTY TO REJECT IN RULE AND TO HAVE A FULL AND FAIR DEBATE. |
| 01:52:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 01:52:18 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:52:19 | MR. LINDER: MR. |
| 01:52:20 | SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MRS. |
| 01:52:25 | DAVIS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM VIRGINIA. |
| 01:52:27 | MRS. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:52:28 | SPEAKER. MR. |
| 01:52:29 | SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE RULE. |
| 01:52:30 | FOR YEARS I'VE BEEN AN AVID SUPPORTER OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 01:52:35 | WHY? |
| 01:52:36 | BECAUSE I HAVE A MOM WHO'S PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AMOUNT TO OVER 50% OF HER SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK. |
| 01:52:40 | TODAY, I RISE TO SPEAK FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE MOMS AND DADS ON MEDICARE. |
| 01:52:45 | THE MINORITY DOESN'T HAVE A SERIOUS BILL. |
| 01:52:47 | THEY HAVE A TRILLION DOLLAR ELECTION YEAR GIMMICK THAT WILL BANKRUPT MEDICARE. |
| 01:52:51 | THIS IS A GOOD AND FAIR RULE BECAUSE IT ALLOWS A VOTE ON THE ONLY CREDIBLE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED TO HELP SENIORS BY LOWERING DRUG COSTS, GUARANTEEING COVERAGE AND BY PROVIDING CHOICES. |
| 01:53:02 | UNDER THE REPUBLICAN PLAN, EVERY SENIOR WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE. |
| 01:53:06 | WE GUARANTEE THIS COVERAGE. |
| 01:53:08 | IT CAN'T BE TAKEN AWAY. |
| 01:53:10 | THE DEMOCRAT PLAN, HOWEVER, PHASES OUT COVERAGE. |
| 01:53:13 | IT'S ESSENTIALLY AN EXPERIMENT. |
| 01:53:15 | MR. SPEAKER, SENIORS CAN'T AFFORD AN EXPERIMENT. |
| 01:53:17 | THEY NEED REAL CREDIBLE COVERAGE THAT THEY CAN RELY ON. |
| 01:53:21 | THIS BILL WILL HELP OUR SENIORS. |
| 01:53:23 | THIS IS A GOOD RULE FOR A LONG AWAITED AND MUCH-NEEDED LEGISLATION AND WE MUST PASS IT. |
| 01:53:28 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN VOTING YES ON THE RULE AND YES ON FINAL PASSAGE OF THE BILL FOR MY MOM AND EVERYONE'S MOM AND DAD THAT'S ON MEDICARE. |
| 01:53:39 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:53:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:53:43 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:53:44 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. |
| 01:53:48 | MENDS. |
| 01:53:49 | -- MR. MENENDEZ. |
| 01:53:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY. |
| 01:53:52 | MR. MENENDEZ: MR. |
| 01:53:53 | SPEAKER, I RISE ON BEHALF OF MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND MILLIONS OF HER ACROSS THIS COUNTRY WHO WORKED FOR DECADES IN THE FACTORY IN NEW JERSEY WHO NOW HAS ALZHEIMER'S AND SPENDS OVER HALF HER SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK ON DRUGS, AND BUT FOR MY SISTERS WOULD NOT LIVE WITH THE DIGNITY SHE DESERVES. |
| 01:54:14 | AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS WON'T EVEN LET US DEBATE OUR PROPOSAL HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 01:54:27 | THE DENIAL ON THE THE DEMOCRATIC VOTE FOR A UNIVERSAL, AFFORDABLE GUARANTEED BENEFIT UNDER MEDICARE IS A CORRUPTION OF THIS INSTITUTION BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY. |
| 01:54:38 | BY THE WAY, FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS GIVEN THEM MILLIONS IN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. |
| 01:54:44 | THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN WHO BENEFITS. |
| 01:54:46 | DEMOCRATS COVER ALL SENIORS. |
| 01:54:48 | YOU SUBSIDIZE BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES AND COVER LESS THAN 1/4 OF SENIOR COSTS. |
| 01:54:53 | THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT SENIORS WILL PAY. |
| 01:54:55 | DEMOCRATS GUARANTEE A $25 MONTHLY PREMIUM WITH LOW OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES. |
| 01:55:01 | YOU LEAVE THOSE DECISIONS TO THE WHIMS OF CORPORATIONS, PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE CORPORATE GREED. |
| 01:55:07 | NO SENIOR IN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING THEIR RENT, PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE, AND HAVING ACCESS TO LIFE-ENHANCING DRUGS. |
| 01:55:16 | MR. |
| 01:55:18 | LINDER: ORDER. |
| 01:55:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 01:55:21 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:55:22 | THE CHAIR -- BEFORE RECOGNIZING THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, THE CHAIR WOULD ASK THE COURTESY ALL MEMBERS NOT TO EXCEED THE TIME YIELDED THEM. |
| 01:55:28 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 01:55:29 | MR. LINDER: MR. |
| 01:55:30 | SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA, MR. |
| 01:55:36 | LATHAM. |
| 01:55:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA. |
| 01:55:38 | MR. |
| 01:55:39 | LATHAM: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, AND I THANK THE SPEAKER FOR THIS TIME. |
| 01:55:46 | LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING AND THIS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER, WHO'S 85 YEARS OLD LIVING IN A TOWN OF 168 PEOPLE AT ALEXANDER ISLAND. |
| 01:56:00 | THIS IS NOT ONLY A BILL THAT'S GOING TO HELP HER TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND TO ENHANCE HER LENGTH OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF LIFE, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY IN RURAL AMERICA, THIS BILL IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE IN RURAL AMERICA. |
| 01:56:23 | THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS BILL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANY OTHER PROPOSAL OUT THERE THAT'S BROUGHT TOGETHER SO MANY PEOPLE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, THE A. |
| 01:56:39 | M.A., THE PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME CARE, THE NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION, ALL COMING TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. |
| 01:56:52 | MR. SPEAKER, I'VE BEEN VERY PROUD TO SERVE ON THE SPEAKER'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACTION TEAM, AND I WANT TO THANK THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEES THAT HAVE WORKED SO HARD ON THIS BILL TO THIS SUCCESSFUL END, WHICH IS REALLY GOING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE. |
| 01:57:11 | AND I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE MY THREE COLLEAGUES, REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES FROM IOWA, MR. |
| 01:57:16 | LEACH, MR. NUSSLE, AND MR. |
| 01:57:17 | GANSKE, FOR WORKING AS A TEAM TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DID GET RELIEF IN IOWA. |
| 01:57:23 | WE HAVE THE LOWEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY BY A WIDE MARGIN. |
| 01:57:28 | THIS BILL IS GOING TO TAKE A GIANT STEP TOWARDS KEEPING THOSE RURAL HOSPITALS OPEN, TO KEEP THE KIND OF HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ON THE JOB AND SERVING IN IOWA. |
| 01:57:40 | IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITIC AM THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO -- CRITICAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PHYSICIANS, THE NURSES, THE HOME HEALTH CARE FOLKS AVAILABLE FOR MY MOTHER. |
| 01:57:48 | MR. |
| 01:57:49 | SPEAKER, THIS IS A GREAT EVENING, AND I SUPPORT THE RULE AND THE BILL. |
| 01:57:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 01:57:55 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:57:56 | MS. |
| 01:57:57 | SLAUGHTER: MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. |
| 01:58:00 | PALLONE. |
| 01:58:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY. |
| 01:58:03 | MR. PALLONE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:58:04 | SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, SOME OF THE COMMENTS BEING MADE BY MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE BOTH ON THE FLOOR AND IN THE RULES COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN VERY UPSETTING TO ME. |
| 01:58:10 | I RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE RULE, BUT I HEARD THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM VIRGINIA JUST SAY THAT THE RULE WAS FAIR BECAUSE IT ALLOWS AN UP-OR-DOWN VOTE ON WHAT IS THE ONLY GOOD BILL DEALING WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 01:58:23 | YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT WHAT FAIRNESS IS ABOUT. |
| 01:58:25 | THAT'S NOT WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT. |
| 01:58:27 | I ASKED THIS MORNING IN THE RULES COMMITTEE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC SUBSTITUTE AND THREE OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD LEAD TO PRICE REDUCTIONS AND ANOTHER AMENDMENT THAT WOULD PROVIDE A GUARANTEED MEDICARE BENEFIT BE PLACED IN ORDER. |
| 01:58:38 | ALL WERE DENIED. |
| 01:58:39 | YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH ME, BUT THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM VIRGINIA SHOULDN'T SUGGEST THAT THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IS WHAT THEY THINK IS THE RIGHT THING. |
| 01:58:48 | THAT'S NOT THE WAY A DEMOCRACY OPERATES. |
| 01:58:50 | THE OTHER THING THAT UPSET ME WAS I HEARD THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CONNECTICUT SAID THAT WE SHOULD JUST READ THE BILL. |
| 01:58:57 | WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, I READ THE BILL. |
| 01:58:59 | WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF TIME TO READ THE REPUBLICAN BILL, BUT I READ IT. |
| 01:59:02 | THERE'S NOTHING IN IT. |
| 01:59:03 | IT IS NOT A MEDICARE BENEFIT. |
| 01:59:05 | IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE ANY BENEFIT. |
| 01:59:07 | IT DOESN'T TELL YOU WHAT THE PREMIUM'S GOING TO BE. |
| 01:59:09 | IT DOESN'T TELL YOU WHAT THE DEDUCTIBLE IS GOING TO BE. |
| 01:59:12 | IT DOESN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT WHETHER IT'S EVEN GOING TO BE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, AND THERE'S NO PRICE REDUCTION. |
| 01:59:18 | AND THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CONNECTICUT MENTIONED THE PASSAGE OF MEDICARE, BUT SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THIS MORNING IN THE RULES COMMITTEE THAT THIS WAS NOT A MEDICARE BILL AND THAT IT OPERATED THROUGH PRIVATE INSURANCE AND THROUGH MARKET COMPETITION AND WAS NOT PART OF MEDICARE, BECAUSE SHE SAID THAT MEDICARE OFTENTIMES DOESN'T WORK NOW AND WE NEED TO CHANGE IT. |
| 01:59:37 | AND THEN THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA ACTUALLY SAID IN RESPONSE TO MR. |
| 01:59:41 | MCGOVERN WHEN I SPOKE ABOUT HOW WE WANTED A MEDICARE GUARANTEE AND WE WANTED THIS TO BE UNDER MEDICARE, MR. |
| 01:59:49 | MCGOVERN SAID IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT MR. |
| 01:59:51 | LINDER MADE A REFERENCE TO THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM AS A SOVIET-STYLE MODEL PROGRAM. |
| 01:59:57 | AND MR. LINDER SAID, WELL, IT IS. |
| 01:59:58 | AND HE SAID IT SEVERAL TIMES. |
| 02:00:00 | THE PROBLEM IS THAT REPUBLICANS DO NOT LIKE MEDICARE. |
| 02:00:04 | THEY DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A MEDICARE PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY NEVER LIKED MEDICARE AND THEY WANT IT TO WITHER ON THE VINE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE ANY BENEFIT TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 02:00:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:00:16 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:00:17 | MR. |
| 02:00:18 | LINDER: MR. |
| 02:00:19 | SPEAKER, THAT WAS ONE OF THE GENTLEMAN'S MORE INTERESTING PROS, I'M SURE THERE WAS A CLEAR THOUGHT IN THERE, BUT I DIDN'T DETECT IT. |
| 02:00:27 | I'D LIKE TO YIELD TO CHAIRMAN OF THE WAYS AND MEANS, MR. |
| 02:00:30 | THOMAS. |
| 02:00:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:00:32 | MR. |
| 02:00:33 | THOMAS: THE PAR RAD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, WHICH SAID IT WAS A SHAM BILL, A CRUEL HOAX, IN CASE ANYONE THINKS THAT THAT'S TRUE, I'M WONDERING WHEN YOU LOOK AT MORE THAN THE 90 ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THIS BILL WHY THEY HAVE NAMES SUCH AS THE VISITING NURSE'S ASSOCIATION, THE PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN'S HEALTH ALLIANCE, THE NATIONAL SPINAL CORD INJURY ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR WOMEN WITH HEART DISEASE, THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMERICAN PARKINSONS ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF MISSISSIPPI. |
| 02:01:10 | HAVING SOMEONE PARADE TO THE MICROPHONE AND REPEAT SOME MANTRA AS THOUGH IT WAS SOME KIND OF A FIXED STATEMENT THAT MEANT ANYTHING REALLY DOES EMBARRASS ME WHEN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND MORE THAT I JUST REPEATED, WHO EVERY DAY HELP THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SAY AREN'T HELPED ARE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 02:01:36 | SOMEONE'S WRONG. |
| 02:01:37 | AND IT ISN'T THEM. |
| 02:01:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:01:41 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:01:42 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:01:43 | SPEAKER, THE DEMOCRATS ARE STANDING WITH AARP, THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, THE ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE AGED, NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS LAW CENTER, FAMILIES U. |
| 02:01:54 | S.A., THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES, THE A. |
| 02:01:59 | F.L. AND COUNT OTHERS WHO REPRESENT THE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. |
| 02:02:05 | AND I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. |
| 02:02:08 | DINGELL. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:02:11 | MR. DINGELL: MR. |
| 02:02:12 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 02:02:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:02:16 | MR. DINGELL: MR. SPEAKER, I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEWOMAN. |
| 02:02:18 | WELL, WE'VE GOT A REMARKABLE THING HERE BEFORE US. |
| 02:02:21 | A CLOSED RULE. |
| 02:02:22 | WE'VE GOT A BILL THAT ON WHICH THERE WERE NEVER ANY HEARINGS, A BILL THAT JUST DRIPS DEFECTS. |
| 02:02:28 | A BILL THAT IS OPPOSED BY ALMOST EVERYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT PHARMACEUTICALS AND ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS AND A BILL THAT'S OPPOSED BY EVERY SINGLE RESPONSIBLE MAJOR ORGANIZATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 02:02:43 | NOW, WE CAN'T OFFER AMENDMENTS TO IT. |
| 02:02:46 | THERE CAN'T BE CUT-AND-BITE AMENDMENTS. |
| 02:02:48 | THERE'S NO POSSIBILITY OF US OFFERING A SUBSTITUTE TO IT. |
| 02:02:51 | THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL DEMOCRACY ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE? |
| 02:02:55 | THIS IS THE WAY WE TREAT THE CONCERNS AND THE RIGHTS AND THE INTERESTS OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS? |
| 02:03:01 | I WONDER HOW MANY OF THEM LIKE WHAT THEY'RE SEEING TONIGHT ON TELEVISION AS THEY WATCH THIS BODY ENGAGE IN A DEBATE WHICH IS, AT BEST, FRAUDULENT AND WHICH IS, AT WORST, JUST PLAIN OUTRAGEOUS. |
| 02:03:17 | THE HARD FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE CAN'T OFFER AMENDMENTS ON THIS SIDE AT ALL, BUT WE CAN'T BRING TO THE ATTENTION THE FACT THAT THIS IS GOING TO SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE, IF NOT IN FACT, DESTROY MOST OF THE PLANS THAT ARE ON BEHALF OF INDUSTRY AND LABOR OFFERED TO RETIREES THE RIGHT TO HAVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PHARMACEUTICALS AS A PART OF THE MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM OF THAT -- OF THE COMPANY WHICH OFFERS THAT PARTICULAR BENEFIT. |
| 02:03:45 | THAT'S AN OUTRAGE. |
| 02:03:46 | THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE CAN ADDRESS HERE WHAT THE AMOUNT THAT IS GOING TO BE CHARGED FOR THE PROGRAM. |
| 02:03:55 | IN OTHER WORDS, IN THIS LEGISLATION, THERE'S NOTHING ANYWHERE WHICH TELLS HOW MUCH THE SENIOR CITIZEN IS GOING TO PAY, TO WHO, FOR WHAT. |
| 02:04:07 | THAT'S ALL LEFT UP TO SOME KIND OF NEBRASKA LUSS UNDERSTANDING -- NEBLELUSS -- NEBULOUS UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PERSON AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY. |
| 02:04:21 | NOW IS THAT BAD? |
| 02:04:25 | OF COURSE. BUT THERE'S WORST, THERE'S NOT A NICKEL'S WORTH OF HEALTH CARE IN THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 02:04:32 | YOU KNOW WHERE THE MONEY GOES IN THIS LEGISLATION BEFORE US? |
| 02:04:34 | TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY. |
| 02:04:35 | THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAN OFFER WHATEVER BENEFITS IT WANTS OR NO BENEFITS. |
| 02:04:40 | BUT IT'S GOING TO GET A BIG, FAT SUBSIDY. |
| 02:04:44 | NOW WITH COMPANIES LIKE ARTHUR ANDERSEN, I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE AN ACCOUNTING SYSTEM THAT WILL MAKE THAT LOOK GOOD. |
| 02:04:52 | BUT THE SIMPLE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE BENEFITS THAT ARE GOING TO COME UNDER THIS LEGISLATION ARE NOT GOING TO COME TO CITIZENS, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO A BUNCH OF COLD-HEARTED, STEELY-EYED INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN MAXIMIZING BENEFITS. |
| 02:05:09 | IN FACT, THERE IS NOT ONE PLAN WHICH WILL BE OFFERED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED. |
| 02:05:16 | FIRST THERE'S GOING TO BE THE BASIC PLAN. |
| 02:05:18 | NOBODY KNOWS HOW MUCH IS GOING TO BE PAID OR HOW MUCH BENEFITS THERE'S GOING TO BE THERE. |
| 02:05:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:05:27 | MS. SLAUGHTER: I'M SORRY, OUR TIME IS ALL ALLOCATED, MR. |
| 02:05:31 | DINGELL. |
| 02:05:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:05:34 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:05:35 | MR. LINDER: MR. |
| 02:05:36 | SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY FRIEND FROM MISSISSIPPI, MR. |
| 02:05:39 | PICKERING. |
| 02:05:40 | SPROIPS THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI. |
| 02:05:44 | MR. |
| 02:05:45 | PICKERING: I RISE IN SPROUD SUPPORT OF THE RULE AND -- IN PROUD SUPPORT OF THE RULE AND THE EFFORT OF THIS BODY. |
| 02:05:50 | IT IS AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR US IF WE PUT THE POLITICS AND EXTREME LANGUAGE ASIDE, THIS IS A FACT. |
| 02:05:58 | $350 BILLION WILL GO TO OUR SENIORS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, TO OUR RURAL HOSPITALS, TO OUR HEALTH COMMUNITY CENTERS, TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. |
| 02:06:17 | IN MY HOME STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, 5 PARTIES OF ALL SENIORS LIVE AT THE RATE THAT WILL GET THE FIXED INCOME ASSISTANCE. |
| 02:06:22 | WHICH MEANS NO DEDUCTIBLE, NO PREMIUM, ONLY A CO-PAYMENT OF $2 TO $5 PER PRESCRIPTION DRUG. |
| 02:06:28 | AN ENORMOUS BENEFIT FOR THE SENIORS WHO NEED IT MOST. |
| 02:06:32 | 55% OF SENIORS IN MISSISSIPPI. |
| 02:06:36 | IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE WHO HAVE CATASTROPHIC OCCURRENCES IN THEIR LIFE, WHEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS EXCEED $3,700, THEY'LL SEE NO COST OVER THAT. |
| 02:06:47 | THOSE MOST IN NEED WILL BE HELPED. |
| 02:06:50 | IT IS RESPONSIBLE, IT IS REASONABLE, IT IS RIGHT. |
| 02:06:52 | I URGE MY MEMBERS TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT THE RULE. |
| 02:06:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:06:58 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:06:59 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:07:00 | SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST. |
| 02:07:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:07:05 | MR. |
| 02:07:06 | HONDA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS AND ENTER THEM INTO THE RECORD EXPRESSING MY OPPOSITION OF THIS PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROPOSAL. |
| 02:07:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:07:15 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:07:16 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:07:17 | SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. |
| 02:07:20 | CAPPS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:07:22 | MRS. CAPPS: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE. |
| 02:07:24 | MR. SPEAKER, I ACKNOWLEDGE MY SISTERS IN CONGRESS AS WE RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS TERRIBLE RULE. |
| 02:07:29 | ONE OF THE PROUDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WAS WHEN I WAS SWORN INTO THIS BODY, THE SYMBOL OF OUR DEMOCRACY, BUT TODAY I AM SAD FOR THE HOUSE AND FOR THIS COUNTRY. |
| 02:07:37 | THE PROCESS THE MAJORITY HAS USED TO PRODUCE THEIR MEDICARE BILL IS COMPLETELY CONTRARY TO THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR CONSTITUTION. |
| 02:07:45 | A BILL WAS RAMMED THROUGH COMMITTEE THAT WILL NOT GIVE SENIORS AN AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT. |
| 02:07:50 | SENIORS MOST OF WHOM ARE WOMEN. |
| 02:07:51 | NOW THE MAJORITY IS REFUSING TO ALLOW A FREE AND FAIR DEBATE ON THE ISSUE. |
| 02:07:56 | WHY? THEY KNOW THEIR BILL WON'T WORK. |
| 02:07:58 | THEY KNOW SENIORS WILL NOT GET AFFORDABLE DRUG COVERAGE FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND THEY KNOW SO MANY SENIORS WILL GET NO HELP WITH THEIR MEDICATIONS. |
| 02:08:05 | AND THEY ARE AFRAID THEY WOULD LOSE. |
| 02:08:07 | I CAN ACCEPT LOSING IN A FAIR FIGHT. |
| 02:08:10 | BUT CAN I NOT ACCEPT THIS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC ATTEMPT -- BUT I CANNOT ACCEPT THIS DEMOCRATIC ATTEMPT TO MUZZLE FAIR DEBATE. |
| 02:08:21 | WE SHOULD PASS A REAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 02:08:25 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:08:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:08:28 | MR. |
| 02:08:29 | LINDER: I AM PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:08:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:08:34 | MR. KENNEDY: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 02:08:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:08:38 | MR. |
| 02:08:39 | KENNEDY: MR. SPEAKER, THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT AND OVERDUE FOR OUR NATION'S 13 MILLION SENIORS. |
| 02:08:44 | OUR SENIORS DESERVE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE NOW. |
| 02:08:47 | THEY DO NOT DESERVE THE DEMOCRATS' ELECTION-YEAR GIMMICK. |
| 02:08:53 | THE AVERAGE SENIOR SAVES 44% ON CURRENT DRUG COSTS UNDER OUR PLAN. |
| 02:08:57 | MR. |
| 02:08:58 | SPEAKER, OUR PLAN GIVES SENIORS IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM THE RISING COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BY PROVIDING A DISCOUNT OF UP TO 25% OFF THE TOP OF THE OVERALL DRUG COST. |
| 02:09:09 | JUST LAST WEEK, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY TOMMY THOMPSON RELEASED A STUDY SHOWING OUR PLAN WOULD SAVE SENIORS MORE MONEY THAN OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 02:09:20 | IN ADDITION TO THE IMMEDIATE DISCOUNT AND COST SHARING, OUR PLAN INCLUDES CATASTROPHIC PROTECTION, 100% PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND MORE MEDICARE CHOICES AND SAVINGS. |
| 02:09:32 | I SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL AND THIS RULE, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME. |
| 02:09:36 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:09:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:09:40 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:09:41 | SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. |
| 02:09:43 | BONIOR. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:09:53 | MR. BONIOR: MR. |
| 02:09:56 | SPEAKER, TWO WEEKS AGO I GOT ON A BUS WITH SOME SENIORS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WE WENT TO CANADA TO BUY SOME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 02:10:06 | THEY GOT THESE DRUGS AT 60%, 70%, 90%, 110% THAN THEY WOULD IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 02:10:13 | THEY DESERVE A SECURE RETIREMENT. |
| 02:10:16 | A SECURE RETIREMENT MEANS NOT HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MEDICATION AND RENT. |
| 02:10:21 | MEDICATION AND FOOD. |
| 02:10:22 | MEDICATION AND TRANSPORTATION. |
| 02:10:24 | IT ALSO MEANS NOT HAVING TO GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY TO BUY THE MEDICINE THAT YOU NEED. |
| 02:10:29 | THAT IS AN OUTRAGE. |
| 02:10:31 | WE HAVE THE POWER IN THIS INSTITUTION TO CHANGE THAT. |
| 02:10:34 | WE HAVE HAD THE POWTORY CHANGE THAT FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, AND WE HAVEN'T DONE A DAMN THING ABOUT IT F. |
| 02:10:41 | YOU'LL PARDON MY LANGUAGE -- ABOUT IT, IF YOU'LL PARDON MY LANGUAGE. |
| 02:10:48 | OUR GRANDPARENTS HAVE BEEN BLINDED BY THE MONEY AND POWER OF THE -- THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN BLINDED BY THE POWER OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP BLOCKS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TIME AFTER TIME. |
| 02:11:02 | OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE REALITY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY. |
| 02:11:06 | GIVE US SOME DESCENT -- DECENT OPTIONS TO VOTE ON. |
| 02:11:10 | MR. |
| 02:11:11 | LINDER: I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND MY FRIEND FROM MICHIGAN THAT 10 YEARS AGO THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO CHANGE IT WITH OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IN BOTH BODIES. |
| 02:11:21 | THEY DIDN'T DO IT. |
| 02:11:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 02:11:25 | MR. |
| 02:11:26 | BARTON: MR. |
| 02:11:27 | SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE RULE, EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN AMENDMENT THAT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE OFFERED THAT WAS NOT MADE IN ORDER ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SAVINGS ACCOUNT. |
| 02:11:39 | THIS ISN'T THE FAIREST RULE. |
| 02:11:40 | WE COULD HAVE MADE IN ORDER A DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVE. |
| 02:11:44 | BUT FOR OUR FIRST START I THINK IT'S A FAIR ENOUGH RULE. |
| 02:11:47 | THIS IS A GOOD PLAN THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE FLOOR. |
| 02:11:52 | SPENDS $350 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS TO PROVIDE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT AND SOME MEDICARE REFORMS FOR THE PROVIDERS. |
| 02:12:00 | THE DRUG BENEFIT COMES TO A POPULATION. |
| 02:12:04 | WE HAVE ABOUT 30 MILLION SENIOR CITIZENS ON MEDICARE. |
| 02:12:06 | 70% OF THOSE SENIORS HAVE SOME PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER PRIVATE MEDIGAP POLICIES. |
| 02:12:13 | OF THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS, 50% OF THEM HAVE DRUG COST THAT IS LESS THAN $1,000 YEAR. |
| 02:12:23 | AND ONLY ABOUT 700,000 HAVE DRUG COSTS OVER $5,000 A YEAR. |
| 02:12:31 | IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE 700,000, THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. |
| 02:12:35 | BUT TO SAY THATAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE $31 BILLION A YEAR TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IS NOT AT LEAST A GOOD START I THINK IS FLAT HYPOCRITICAL. |
| 02:12:52 | I THINK WE CAN DO MORE. |
| 02:12:53 | I WOULD LIKE FOR TO US DO MORE. |
| 02:12:55 | I WOULD LIKE TO AT SOME POINT IN TIME MAKE IN ORDER AN OPTION FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO USE A DRUG SAVINGS ACCOUNT, PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO HAVE THAT OPTION. |
| 02:13:06 | AND HOPEFULLY LATER THIS YEAR WE'LL GET THAT. |
| 02:13:09 | I WOULD POINT OUT THAT IF THE PLAN THAT'S BEFORE US WERE TO BECOME LAW, IF IT'S A BAD PLAN, IT'S OPTIONAL. |
| 02:13:18 | THERE IS NOTHING MANDATORY ABOUT THIS PLAN THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE FLOOR. |
| 02:13:21 | I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT THE PROVIDER BENEFITS IN THE BILL WHICH IS OVER $4 BILLION A YEAR, THERE IS ALMOST UNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR IN THE PROVIDER COMMUNITY. |
| 02:13:31 | SO THIS IS A GOOD START. |
| 02:13:32 | I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD VOTE FOR THE RULE AND HAVE THE DEBATE. |
| 02:13:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:13:37 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:13:38 | SPEAKER, MAY I INQUIRE AS TO THE TIME REMAINING ON BOTH SIDES? |
| 02:13:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK HAS 10 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 02:13:45 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS 11 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 02:13:46 | MS. |
| 02:13:47 | SLAUGHTER: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. |
| 02:13:49 | BROWN. |
| 02:13:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO. |
| 02:13:51 | MR. |
| 02:13:52 | BROWN: I THANK MY FRIEND FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:13:54 | LAST WEEK THE CONGRESS COMMITTEE WAS MEETING ON MARKING UP THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL AND LAST WEDNESDAY WE STOPPED AT 5:00 IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING INTO THE EVENING. |
| 02:14:04 | WHY? |
| 02:14:05 | BECAUSE MY FRIENDS ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE WENT TO A REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER UNDERWRITTEN BY THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COMPANIES. |
| 02:14:13 | THE CHAIR OF THAT DINNER WAS THE C. |
| 02:14:15 | E.O. OF A BRITISH DRUG COMPANY WHO DONATED $250,000 TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. |
| 02:14:22 | THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER DOLLARS DONATED BY DRUG COMPANIES THAT NIGHT. |
| 02:14:27 | THE NEXT DAY, MR. |
| 02:14:28 | SPEAKER, WHEN WE WENT BACK FOR THE MARKUP, EVERY AMENDMENT THE DEMOCRATS OFFERED THAT THE DRUG COMPANIES DIDN'T LIKE, SURPRISE, WAS VOTED DOWN. |
| 02:14:39 | AMENDMENTS THAT SAID, THAT SENIORS SHOULD GET THE SAME DRUG BENEFIT AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS GET WAS VOTED DOWN ON A PARTY-LINE VOTE BECAUSE THE DRUG COMPANY SAT IN THE BACK OF OF THE ROOM AND SAID NO. |
| 02:14:52 | EVERY AMENDMENT THAT WE VOTED ON THAT THE DRUG COMPANIES DIDN'T LIKE TO CLOSE THE GAP IN ALL THE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES THAT SENIORS HAD TO PAY. |
| 02:15:00 | THE DRUG COMPANIES DIDN'T LIKE IT, THEY SAT BACK IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND SAID NO. |
| 02:15:04 | VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN WRITTEN FOR SENIORS. |
| 02:15:07 | VOTE NO ON THE REPUBLICAN PLAN. |
| 02:15:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: EXCUSE ME, THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:15:13 | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:15:15 | MS. |
| 02:15:16 | SLAUGHTER: I WAS GOING TO YIELD THAT GENTLEMAN ANOTHER 30 SECONDS. |
| 02:15:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: TWO THINGS. |
| 02:15:20 | MEMBERS NEED TO HEED THE GAVEL. |
| 02:15:22 | AND THE CHAIR WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK WHEN THE GAFFLE IS POUNDING THAT MEMBERS -- GAVEL IS POUNDING THAT MEMBERS CEASE SPEAKING SO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK COULD HAVE YIELDED FURTHER TIME WHICH WAS HER DESIRE. |
| 02:15:32 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:15:34 | MR. LINDER: I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY FRIEND FROM FLORIDA, DR. |
| 02:15:37 | WELDON. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:15:39 | MR. |
| 02:15:40 | WELDON: AS MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES KNOW I PRACTICED INTERNAL MEDICINE FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE COMING TO THE HOUSE. |
| 02:15:45 | INDEED, I STILL SEE PATIENTS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AT THE VETERANS' CLINIC IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. |
| 02:15:52 | I LIVE THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS. |
| 02:15:54 | I PRACTICED INTERNAL MEDICINE. |
| 02:15:57 | MAINLY WHAT I DID I WROTE PRESCRIPTIONS, MAINLY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 02:16:02 | I DEALT PERSONALLY WITH THE STRUGGLES MANY OF THEM FACE IN PAYING FOR THEIR DRUGS. |
| 02:16:08 | MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS GETTING A BIFMENT FRANKLY I WAS VERY DIS-- GETTING A BILL. |
| 02:16:13 | FRANKLY I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WE DIDN'T GET A BILL. |
| 02:16:16 | I THINK THE REASON WE DIDN'T GET A BILL WAS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY COULD CAPITALIZE ON IT IN THE CAMPAIGN. |
| 02:16:22 | I HAVE TO HONESTLY SAY, THIS IS DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN. |
| 02:16:26 | WE ARE STARTING OUT VERY, VERY POORLY. |
| 02:16:29 | I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE. |
| 02:16:32 | WE HAD TWO COMMITTEES MARK UP THIS BILL. |
| 02:16:35 | THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SPENT 13 HOURS ON IT. |
| 02:16:37 | THEY WERE IN UNTIL 2:00 A. |
| 02:16:40 | M. THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE WENT ALL NIGHT. |
| 02:16:43 | WE HEAR THESE CLAIMS THAT THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY IS GIVING US ALL THIS MONEY. |
| 02:16:46 | DO I ASSUME THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS NEVER TAKEN ANY PHARMACEUTICAL MONEY? |
| 02:16:51 | I'LL TELL WHAT YOU WE NEED. |
| 02:16:53 | WE NEED A PLAN. |
| 02:16:54 | WE NEED SOME KIND OF PLAN. |
| 02:16:56 | AND THIS IS STEP ONE. |
| 02:16:58 | WE HAVE TO GO TO CONFERENCE WITH THE SENATE. |
| 02:17:01 | THEN YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE IN CONFERENCE. |
| 02:17:03 | AND MANY OF YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE OVER THERE DEMAGOGUING THIS ISSUE ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. |
| 02:17:07 | WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET A VERY, VERY GOOD BILL TO HELP OUR SENIORS, BUT IF WE KEEP ON WITH THIS ATTITUDE, I'M GOING TO TELL MY FOLKS BACK HOME, FORGET IT. |
| 02:17:20 | IT'S GOING TO BE KICKED OFF INTO THE CAMPAIGN AGAIN. |
| 02:17:22 | PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HOPE THEY ARE GOING TO GET AN ADVANTAGE, AND DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S GOING TO GET AN ADVANTAGE, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO SUFFER ARE THE SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 02:17:30 | I WANT TO SAY ONE OTHER THING, WE DO NOT WANT TO PLAN THAT -- A PLAN THAT STIFLES INNOVATION. |
| 02:17:37 | IF YOU STIFLE INNOVATION -- I CAN TELL YOU I USED TO WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM TO THEM, NEW PILLS THAT KEPT THEM ALIVE, AND WITHOUT THOSE PILLS THEY WOULD HAVE DIED. |
| 02:17:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:17:49 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:17:50 | MS. |
| 02:17:51 | SLAUGHTER: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA, MRS. |
| 02:17:54 | THURMAN. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:17:57 | MRS. THURMAN: MR. SPEAKER, I WANT THE PEOPLE OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT'S VOICES TO BE HEARD TONIGHT, TOO. |
| 02:18:01 | FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS DEBATE TONIGHT IS NOT ABOUT THE PROVIDER GIVEBACKS IN THIS BILL. |
| 02:18:08 | THIS DEBATE IS ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE ISSUE THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THIS CONGRESS AND INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT RAN ON IN THE LAST ELECTION. |
| 02:18:22 | LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR. |
| 02:18:24 | TODAY, I WENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT SAID TO ME, WE WANT THE COST OF DRUGS DOWN. |
| 02:18:33 | WE ARE TIRED OF SEEING ON THE TV PEOPLE GOING TO CANADA TO BUY THEIR MEDICINES CHEAPER. |
| 02:18:42 | OR, WHY IS IT THAT IN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS, OUR COMPETITORS, ARE BUYING THEIR DRUGS AT A LESSER COST? |
| 02:18:50 | JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES, HOW ABOUT ZOCOR, AN INDUSTRIALIZED -- IN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS, THEIR AVERAGE PRICING IS ABOUT $65 IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT IT'S $104. |
| 02:19:04 | WE NEED TO BRING THESE COSTS DOWN. |
| 02:19:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:19:10 | THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:19:11 | MR. |
| 02:19:12 | LINDER: I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. |
| 02:19:14 | SHIMKUS. |
| 02:19:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 02:19:17 | MR. SHIMKUS: I WISH MY FRIEND STENY HOYER WAS HERE BECAUSE HE PLAYED THE SOLOMON CARD AND I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR JERRY SOLOMON. |
| 02:19:24 | I SAY SEMPER FI TO JERRY WHO IS PROBABLY WATCHING THESE PROCEEDINGS AND CHUCKLING. |
| 02:19:29 | MR. SPEAKER, I SUPPORT THIS RULE. |
| 02:19:30 | WE LABORED HARD FOR OVER 25 HOURS IN THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, AND I KNOW MY FRIENDS IN WAYS AND MEANS WORKED EQUALLY AS HARD. |
| 02:19:37 | IT'S NOT A PERFECT BILL. |
| 02:19:40 | IN FACT, THE BILL COMING TO THE FLOOR STRIPPED OUT MY LANGUAGE ON ORPHAN DRUGS, HELP FOR CROHN'S DISEASE, AND TOURETTE'S DISEASE. |
| 02:19:50 | THIS BILL HAS POSITIVE ASPECTS. |
| 02:19:52 | FIRST, IT FITS WITHIN THE BUDGET. |
| 02:19:54 | THIS IS CRITICAL BECAUSE ANY AMENDMENT EITHER ON THE FLOOR WOULD ADD TO THE BILL WHICH WOULD STRIP IT ON A BUDGET POINT OF ORDER, OR IT WOULD SHORTCHANGE THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT, OR SHORTCHANGE THE HOSPITAL BENEFITS. |
| 02:20:08 | ILLINOIS OFFERS A PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR DUEL ELIGIBLES. |
| 02:20:15 | THIS WILL ASUME -- ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR BILL -- DUAL ELIGIBLES. |
| 02:20:24 | THIS COVERS 34% OF ILLINOIS MEDICARE POPULATIONS, 549,000 PEOPLE. |
| 02:20:31 | IT HELPS INCREASES PAYMENTS TO ALL HOSPITALS IN 2003. |
| 02:20:36 | INCREASES PAYMENTS TO SOLE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS. |
| 02:20:39 | INCREASES DISH PAYMENTS. |
| 02:20:40 | ADDS 10% INCREASE TO RURAL HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCIES. |
| 02:20:44 | INCREASES BY 10% HOSPICE PAYMENTS. |
| 02:20:47 | IT'S A FINALLY CRAFTED BILL THAT WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO THE COMMITTEE. |
| 02:20:51 | IT'S NOT A PERFECT BILL. |
| 02:20:53 | IT'S A THING THAT WE CAN PASS ON THE FLOOR TONIGHT. |
| 02:20:55 | I COMMEND MY COLLEAGUES. |
| 02:20:57 | I LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING THIS RULE AND MOVING TO DEBATE ON THE BILL. |
| 02:21:00 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:21:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:21:04 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:21:05 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:21:06 | SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP IN -- FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. |
| 02:21:10 | PELOSI. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:21:12 | MS. PELOSI: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. |
| 02:21:13 | SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING AND HER IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. |
| 02:21:18 | MR. SPEAKER, 37 YEARS AGO WHEN MEDICARE FIRST CAME INTO EXISTENCE, THERE WAS A BIG FIGHT OVER IT. |
| 02:21:23 | THE DEMOCRATS WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTED IT, THE REPUBLICANS OPPOSED IT. |
| 02:21:27 | THEY STILL OPPOSE MEDICARE. |
| 02:21:30 | OVER THE YEARS, THEY HAVE MADE STATEMENTS TO THAT EFFECT. |
| 02:21:34 | NEWT GINGRICH, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKER, SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MEDICARE, IN HIS WORDS, WITHER ON THE VINE. |
| 02:21:40 | AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADER -- MR. |
| 02:21:44 | LINDER: WILL THE GENTLELADY YIELD? |
| 02:21:46 | MS. |
| 02:21:47 | PELOSI: I WILL NOT YIELD. THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE HOUSE, DICK ARMEY, SAID MEDICARE SHOULD BE NO PART OF A FREE WORLD. |
| 02:21:53 | AND IN THE DEBATE IN THE RULES COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT, CONGRESSMAN JOHN LINDER REFERRED TO IT AS A SOVIET-STYLE MODEL, WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WERE PROPOSING, A SOVIET-STYLE MODEL. |
| 02:22:06 | THEY DIDN'T SUPPORT IT THEN, THEY DON'T SUPPORT IT NOW. |
| 02:22:10 | IT'S NO WONDER THEY HAVE PROPOSED THIS CRUEL HOAX ON AMERICA'S SENIORS TO PRETEND THAT THEY HAVE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT THAT IS A GUARANTEE IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. |
| 02:22:22 | THEY OFFER NO GUARANTEE, MERELY A SUGGESTION. |
| 02:22:25 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY DEFINED PREMIUM OR ASSURANCES THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WILL BE AFFORDABLE. |
| 02:22:32 | IN THE ONE STATE WHERE SUCH A PROGRAM EXISTS, THE MONTHLY PREMIUM IS $85 PER MONTH. |
| 02:22:37 | THAT'S IN NEVADA. |
| 02:22:39 | AND -- NEVADA. |
| 02:22:40 | AND LESS THAN 1/5 OF THE ESTIMATED COST OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS WILL BE COVERED IN THIS BILL. |
| 02:22:46 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL DOES NOT PROVIDE GUARANTEED ACCESS TO THE DRUGS SENIORS NEED OR ACCESS TO THEIR LOCAL PHARMACIES. |
| 02:22:53 | IF WE HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO PRESENT A SUBSTITUTE TONIGHT, WHICH THIS RULE PREVENTS, THE DEMOCRATIC SUBSTITUTE WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A GUARANTEED, AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT TO ALL SENIORS THAT WOULD AMOUNT TO A ENTITLEMENT UNDER MEDICARE. |
| 02:23:10 | CONGRESSMAN JOE BARTON SAID BEFORE, THIS ISN'T OPTIONAL, IT'S NOT MANDATORY. |
| 02:23:16 | HE SAID THIS ON THE FLOOR HERE. |
| 02:23:18 | IMAGINE A SITUATION, MY COLLEAGUES, WHERE WE COULD HAVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR ALL OF OUR SENIORS. |
| 02:23:24 | THE QUALITY OF LIFE IT WOULD PRODUCE AND THE COST SAVINGS TO OUR BUDGET. |
| 02:23:28 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:23:30 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:23:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:23:33 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:23:37 | MR. |
| 02:23:38 | LINDER: I YIELD MYSELF 30 SECONDS TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS IN THE PREVIOUS LADY'S STATEMENTS. |
| 02:23:42 | MR. |
| 02:23:43 | GINGRICH DID NOT EVER SAY MEDICARE WOULD WITHER ON THE VINE. |
| 02:23:46 | HE SAID IF WE BRING COMPETITION INTO -- >> REGULAR ORDER. |
| 02:23:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 02:23:56 | THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 02:23:57 | MR. LINDER: AND THIS WAS PLAYED OUT ON CNN VERY CLEARLY WHEN THEY PLAYED THE WHOLE STATEMENT, NOT THE BOTCHED STATEMENT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN RUNNING. |
| 02:24:04 | HE SAID IF WE BRING COMPETITION INTO THE SYSTEM, THE HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION WOULD WITHER ON THE VINE. |
| 02:24:11 | SECONDLY, I WOULD POINT OUT THE DEMOCRATS HAD A MAJORITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS. |
| 02:24:14 | WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, THEY HAD A HUGE MAJORITY IN BOTH PARTIES AND THE PRESIDENT WAS A DEMOCRAT, AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER ONE. |
| 02:24:20 | I BELIEVE IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE REPUBLICANS ARE MAKING THE EFFORT. |
| 02:24:23 | AT THIS TIME, I'M HAPPY TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MS. |
| 02:24:30 | HART. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 02:24:34 | MS. |
| 02:24:35 | HART: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 02:24:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:24:38 | MS. |
| 02:24:42 | HART: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE RULE AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO ALSO SUPPORT THE BILL. |
| 02:24:49 | THE CENTERS FOR MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SERVICES REGARDED -- DID A POLL CHECKING OUT THIS BILL. |
| 02:24:56 | AND THEY ESTIMATED THAT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES, THAT IS, AT LEAST 95% OF THEM, WOULD OPT FOR THIS DRUG COVERAGE. |
| 02:25:04 | IF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WERE ACCURATE IN THE LEAST, I DOUBT THAT 95% OF MEDICARE RECIPIENTS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS PROPOSAL. |
| 02:25:13 | BUT THIS PROPOSAL PROVIDES FOR THEM COVERAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT THEY CANNOT GET TODAY. |
| 02:25:19 | THAT MEANS THE CHOICE THEY CURRENTLY MAKE OF LEAVING THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUG BAG ON THE COUNTER BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT, OR PAYING FOR IT AND TAKING IT HOME IS NO LONGER A CHOICE THEY HAVE TO MAKE. |
| 02:25:30 | THEY PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE COVERAGE. |
| 02:25:33 | THEY TAKE IT HOME. |
| 02:25:35 | THEIR HEALTH IMPROVES. |
| 02:25:36 | ALL THE SENIOR CITIZENS THAT I HAVE MET WITH IN MY DISTRICT HAVE BEEN ASKING ME TO PLEASE HELP THEM GET THE COVERAGE FOR THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THEY NEED TO STAY HEALTHY AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. |
| 02:25:47 | THAT'S ALL THEY ASK. |
| 02:25:49 | THE WOMEN AND THE MEN. |
| 02:25:51 | THAT'S WHAT WE GIVE THEM IN OUR BILL. |
| 02:25:54 | I URGE SUPPORT. |
| 02:25:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:25:58 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:25:59 | MS. |
| 02:26:00 | SLAUGHTER: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MR. |
| 02:26:02 | NADLER FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:26:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:26:09 | MR. NADLER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:26:10 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:26:11 | WHAT WE HAVE ON THE FLOOR TODAY IS A PITIFUL, PATHETIC, PUNY, PRETEND PLAN. |
| 02:26:18 | A PRETEND PLAN THAT PRETENDS TO OFFER SENIORS PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, BUT WHAT IT REALLY DOES IS IT GIVES A LOT OF MONEY TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SAYS, PLEASE, WE HOPE YOU'LL DO SOMETHING FOR OUR SENIORS, MAYBE. |
| 02:26:34 | THAT'S ALL IT IS. |
| 02:26:35 | AND THEY ARE TOO SOMETHING, I WON'T SAY IT, WHAT, BECAUSE MY WORDS MIGHT BE TAKEN DOWN, BUT THEY WILL NOT PERMIT THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN, WHICH IS A STRAIGHT PLAN FOR MEDICARE TO PAY FOR 0% OF THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO BE OFFERED ON THIS FLOOR BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY COULD WIN THE DEBATE. |
| 02:26:54 | THEY WILL NOT PERMIT THE TWO PLANS TO BE OFFERED ON THIS FLOOR TO BE DEBATED BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THAT IN THE LIGHT OF DAY IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD SEE IT, THEY WOULD SAY WE WANT A PLAN, WE WANT WHAT THEY CALL THE SOVIET-STYLE PLAN, WHICH IS WHAT THEY CHARACTERIZE MEDICARE AS FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. |
| 02:27:11 | THEY DIDN'T WANT IT THEN, THEY STILL DON'T WANT IT, AND THEY CERTAINLY DON'T WANT MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 02:27:18 | THEY WANT TO GIVE MORE MONEY TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SAY, WE HOPE YOU PROVIDE IT. |
| 02:27:22 | FAT CHANCE. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:27:25 | MR. LINDER: AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY, DR. |
| 02:27:29 | FLETCHER. |
| 02:27:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY. |
| 02:27:32 | MR. FLETCHER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:27:34 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 02:27:35 | THIS EVENING WE'RE ADDRESSING ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN AMERICA, AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, WHEN WE MARKED UP THE BUDGET, THEY ABSOLUTELY SET NO AMOUNT OF MONEYS, ZIPPO, THEY DID NOTHING TO SET ASIDE ANY MONEY FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR SENIORS. |
| 02:27:52 | SO YOU ACTUALLY HAD NO PLAN IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR THE PLAN YOU-ALL OFFERED IN THE COMMITTEE. |
| 02:27:58 | WHEN YOU OFFERED THE PLAN IN THE COMMITTEE, WHAT WAS IT? |
| 02:28:02 | A $973 BILLION PLAN THAT YOU HAD NO WAY OF PAYING FOR. |
| 02:28:06 | YOU WERE GOING TO PUT THIS BURDEN ON OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND YOU ABSOLUTELY OFFERED NOT ONE SINGLE WAY OF PAYING FOR IT. |
| 02:28:13 | YOU TALKED ABOUT TAXES, BUT YOU DIDN'T OFFER YOUR TAX INCREASE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED. |
| 02:28:17 | ARE YOU TAKING IT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY? |
| 02:28:19 | THAT'S WHERE IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO COME FROM. |
| 02:28:21 | NOW YOU TALK ABOUT CONTROLLING COST. |
| 02:28:24 | WE ELIMINATED THE BEST PRICES WHICH ELIMINATED THE FLOOR. |
| 02:28:30 | C. |
| 02:28:31 | B.O. ESTIMATES THIS HAS THE MOST COST-CONTROLLING POLICY OF ANY PLAN OFFERED. |
| 02:28:36 | THAT MEANS WE'LL PROVIDE THE MOST COMPETITIVE PRICES FOR DRUGS. |
| 02:28:40 | I ENCOURAGE OUR COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. |
| 02:28:43 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:28:45 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:28:46 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:28:47 | SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS, MR. |
| 02:28:51 | BERRY. |
| 02:28:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS. |
| 02:28:55 | MR. BERRY: I THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:28:58 | MR. |
| 02:28:59 | SPEAKER, THIS RULE IS A FRAUD. |
| 02:29:01 | THIS BILL IS A FRAUD. |
| 02:29:04 | THEY'VE COME TO THE FLOOR AND SAID THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE FOR OUR SENIORS, BUT NOT A DIME OF THIS MONEY GOES TO BUY ANY MEDICINE, IT GOES TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 02:29:17 | I WONDER, AS I HAVE LISTENED TO THIS DEBATE THIS EVENING, IF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE BOUGHT INTO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THAT OLD PHILOSOPHER AND SPIRITUAL LEADER, BROTHER DAVE GARDNER, WHO SAID, WHEN YOU GET A MAN DOWN, KICK HIM, BECAUSE IT GIVES HIM INCENTIVE TO RISE ABOVE HIMSELF. |
| 02:29:45 | THEY'VE GOT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS DOWN AND NOW THEY WANT TO KICK THEM. |
| 02:29:51 | THE GREATEST GENERATION THAT LIVED THROUGH THE DEPRESSION, FOUGHT WORLD WAR II, AND BUILT THIS NATION, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO JUST KICK THEM ONE MORE TIME. |
| 02:30:01 | AND IF WE CAN'T KICK THEM, WE'RE GOING TO TRICK THEM AND TRY TO MAKE THEM THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BUY THEM SOME PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, AND THIS BILL DOESN'T BUY THEM ANYTHING. |
| 02:30:13 | MR. SPEAKER, THIS RULE SHOULD NOT PASS, AND THIS BILL SHOULD NOT PASS BECAUSE EVERYONE THAT VOTES FOR IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE FOREVER WITH THE FACT THAT THEY MISTREATED OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, THE GREATEST GENERATION, ONE MORE TIME. |
| 02:30:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 02:30:33 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:30:34 | MR. LINDER: AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 02:30:37 | CUNNINGHAM. |
| 02:30:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:30:40 | MR. |
| 02:30:42 | CUNNINGHAM: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:30:46 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:30:47 | I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE. |
| 02:30:51 | MS. |
| 02:30:52 | SLAUGHTER, WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME. |
| 02:30:54 | I'VE GOT A MOM. |
| 02:30:57 | I'VE GOT A GRANDMA THAT IS 93 YEARS OLD. |
| 02:31:01 | I'VE GOT A MOTHER-IN-LAW AND TWO DAUGHTERS I JUST LEFT UP TOP-SIDE. |
| 02:31:07 | AND I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE RULE. |
| 02:31:09 | YOU KNOW THE GAMESMANSHIP WHEN YOU HAD THE MAJORITY. |
| 02:31:12 | BUT THE INFERENCES THAT REPUBLICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR FAMILIES I THINK IS WRONG. |
| 02:31:19 | WE DO. |
| 02:31:20 | YOU KNOW, I'D GIVE MY LIFE FOR MY FAMILY, AND I WOULDN'T GIVE A DIME TO THE PRESCRIPTION COMPANIES IF I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO HURT. |
| 02:31:29 | LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. |
| 02:31:31 | I HAD PNEUMONIA A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND WHEN I WENT TO THE DOCTOR, THE PRICE OF AUGMENTIN WAS $110. |
| 02:31:38 | MY WIFE HAD A PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE PLAN THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. |
| 02:31:44 | AND THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUG, INSTEAD OF $110 OR $120 WAS $17. |
| 02:31:49 | THAT IS A FREE MARKET, PRIVATE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS US -- AND WE WANT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT. |
| 02:31:57 | NOW, I UNDERSTAND IF YOU WANT A GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED HEALTH CARE PLAN, LIKE THE FIRST LADY TRIED TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE, THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, BUT WE THINK THAT'S WRONG. |
| 02:32:08 | AND WE DO CARE ABOUT OUR PEOPLE. |
| 02:32:10 | NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO APOLOGIZE BECAUSE THEY GO TO GET A DRUG, LIKE THE PRESIDENT THAT SAT RIGHT UP HERE, PRESIDENT CLINTON. |
| 02:32:20 | AND WE TAKE CARE OF THAT. |
| 02:32:21 | BUT TO GIVE THE INFERENCE THAT REPUBLICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR FAMILIES, IT'S WRONG, GENTLEMEN AND LADIES, BECAUSE WE DO VERY MUCH. |
| 02:32:30 | I WOULD ALSO SAY, THE GENTLELADY THAT SPOKE UP HERE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, MS. |
| 02:32:38 | PELOSI I SINCE 1988, EVERY SINGLE YEAR, SHE VOTED TO TAKE 100% OF THE MONEY OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 02:32:44 | AND HERE IS THE DOCUMENTATION. |
| 02:32:45 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:32:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:32:49 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:32:50 | MS. |
| 02:32:51 | SLAUGHTER: MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS, MS. |
| 02:32:55 | JACKSON LEE. |
| 02:32:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 02:32:59 | MS. JACKSON LEE: I ASK THE SPEAKER TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE, AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 02:33:06 | I AM TOLD OUR PHYSICIANS TAKE A HIPPOCRATIC OATH. |
| 02:33:09 | AND THAT OATH SAYS WHEN SOMEONE IS IN NEED AND I TRUST YOU, DO NO HARM. |
| 02:33:14 | WELL, I'M SAD TO SAY THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE GOTTEN TOGETHER AND THEY'RE DOING GREAT HARM. |
| 02:33:22 | REPUBLICAN INSURANCE PROTECTION ACT, THE VALUE, ZERO. |
| 02:33:27 | ZERO BENEFITS, ZERO TO MOM, ZERO BENEFITS TO THE DISABLED. |
| 02:33:33 | IT IS A SHAME. |
| 02:33:34 | AND REALIZE THAT THIS SICK SENIOR IS ON A ROLLER COASTER, HER PREMIUMS ARE NOT GUARANTEED, HER DEDUCTIBLE IS HIGH, SHE IS NOT SURE SHE WILL BUY THE DRUGS FROM THE PHARMACY SHE TRUSTS. |
| 02:33:47 | AND SHE GETS NOTHING FOR A BIG PART OF THE YEAR, EVEN THOUGH SHE KEEPS PAYING PREMIUMS. |
| 02:33:52 | ZERO. MY GOOD FRIEND FROM FLORIDA SAID EVERYBODY TAKES MONEY. |
| 02:33:56 | YOU TOOK MONEY, DEMOCRATS. |
| 02:33:57 | BUT YOU DIDN'T TAKE $31 MILLION FIVE DAYS BEFORE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, AND YOU DIDN'T DENY US A SUBSTITUTE IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DEBATE THIS ISSUE ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 02:34:08 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:34:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:34:12 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:34:13 | MR. |
| 02:34:14 | LINDER: MAY I ASK AS TO HOW MUCH TIME IS REMAINING ON EACH SIDE? |
| 02:34:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: BOTH SIDES HAVE 2 1/2 MINUTES. |
| 02:34:19 | MR. LINDER: AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY COLLEAGUE FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 02:34:23 | KINGSTON. |
| 02:34:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:34:26 | MR. KINGSTON: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 02:34:28 | AND AFTER LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE FOR MANY -- FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES AND MANY DIFFERENT WEEKS, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS RULE. |
| 02:34:35 | THERE IS A LOT MORE LEFT TO DO THAT I'M GOING TO BE A PART OF. |
| 02:34:39 | AND I'M PROUD TO SEE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS FROM OUR LEADERSHIP HAVE AGREED TO IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THE LOWERING THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 02:34:48 | BUT AS I LISTEN TO THIS RHETORIC TONIGHT, WHICH I THINK SO MUCH OF IT IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS STATEMENT WHICH WAS MADE IN THE NEW REPUBLIC JUST IN JUNE, IT SAYS THE DEMOCRATS WHO WANT THIS ISSUE ON THE TABLE BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, THEY DON'T WANT THE BILL, THEY WANT THE ISSUE. |
| 02:35:04 | AND I'M SITTING HERE LISTENING TO THIS, AND I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WHO REALLY DO WANT A POLICY, BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT TO THINK THAT TONIGHT THE DEMOCRATS WANT THE POLITICS. |
| 02:35:13 | AND YOU'VE GOT TO ASK YOURSELF, WHERE IS YOUR PLAN? |
| 02:35:17 | WHERE'S YOUR PLAN? |
| 02:35:19 | WE KNOW THE SENATE DEMOCRAT HAS -- REGULAR ORDER, MR. |
| 02:35:22 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:35:24 | REGULAR ORDER. |
| 02:35:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 02:35:27 | MR. KINGSTON: I HAVE TO SAY, WHERE'S YOUR PLAN? |
| 02:35:30 | WE KNOW THAT MR. DASCHLE AND SOME OF THE FOLKS ACROSS THE HALL HAVE ONE, BUT IT IS A TRILLION DOLLAR PLAN WHICH WILL BANKRUPT MEDICARE. |
| 02:35:38 | NOW, YOU SAY YOU DON'T LIKE OUR PLAN, WELL, OUR PLAN DOESN'T BANKRUPT MEDICARE. |
| 02:35:42 | IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT MEDICARE, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BANKRUPT IT? |
| 02:35:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:35:48 | MR. |
| 02:35:49 | KINGSTON: OUR PLAN SAVES SENIORS 70%. |
| 02:35:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:35:54 | MR. KINGSTON: LET ME YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:35:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR WOULD AGAIN ASK ALL MEMBERS TO YIELD TO THE GAVEL. |
| 02:36:00 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:36:01 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:36:02 | SPEAKER, WE HAD A PLAN. WE HAD A FINE PLAN, WE JUST COULDN'T BRING IT OUT HERE BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 02:36:07 | AND I WANT TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. |
| 02:36:11 | ESHOO. |
| 02:36:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:36:14 | MS. ESHOO: I THANK THE GENTLEWOMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 02:36:16 | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE THIS EVENING IN OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE. |
| 02:36:22 | THERE IS SOMETHING VERY, VERY, VERY WRONG IN THIS HOUSE. |
| 02:36:28 | YOU KNOW WHAT? |
| 02:36:29 | YOU KNOW IT. |
| 02:36:31 | YOU KNOW IT BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS SPEAK OF CHOICE. |
| 02:36:37 | YOU ALWAYS SPEAK ABOUT COMPETITION. |
| 02:36:39 | YOU ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT NEW IDEAS. |
| 02:36:43 | BUT YOU WON'T ALLOW THEM TO COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 02:36:53 | I REPRESENT 650,000 PEOPLE. |
| 02:36:55 | THE GENTLEMAN THAT JUST CAME TO THE PODIUM SAID, WHERE'S YOUR PLAN? |
| 02:36:59 | IT'S RIGHT HERE. |
| 02:37:00 | BUT YOU ARE AFRAID TO DEBATE IT. |
| 02:37:04 | WHY DON'T YOU STAND UP, BE MEN AND WOMEN, AND DEBATE IT? |
| 02:37:09 | DON'T BE AFRAID OF IDEAS. |
| 02:37:12 | SO WE WILL PROTEST. |
| 02:37:14 | YOU KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATS SINCE THE 1960'S AND BEFORE THAT HAVE HAD A LOVE AFFAIR WITH MEDICARE. |
| 02:37:23 | YOU WILL NEVER DRIVE AWEDGE BETWEEN US AND MEDICARE. |
| 02:37:28 | THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO OFFER. |
| 02:37:29 | I WOULD LIKE 30 SECOND MORE. |
| 02:37:32 | MS. SLAUGHTER: I YIELD 30 SECONDS MORE. |
| 02:37:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:37:36 | MS. ESHOO: WE WANTED TO BRING OUR PLAN TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. |
| 02:37:38 | PERHAPS YOU HAVE THE VOTES TO BEAT THAT. |
| 02:37:41 | BUT THE DISGRACE IS THAT YOU WAVE THE FLAG AND THEN YOU WAIVE THE DEMOCRATIC RULES. |
| 02:37:49 | SHAME ON YOU. |
| 02:37:50 | SHAME ON YOU FOR DOING THAT. |
| 02:37:52 | GO HOME AND EXPLAIN THAT TO GOOD REPUBLICANS, TO GOOD INDEPENDENTS, AND TO THE DEMOCRATS IN YOUR DISTRICT. |
| 02:37:59 | THEY WOULD NEVER, EVER ACCEPT THAT. |
| 02:38:02 | THAT'S WHY THERE IS FRUSTRATION AND ANGER ON THIS SIDE. |
| 02:38:06 | WE CAN DEBATE THESE THINGS. |
| 02:38:08 | BUT YOU ARE AFRAID TO. |
| 02:38:09 | YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR AN IDEA. |
| 02:38:11 | YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT CHOICE. |
| 02:38:13 | AND YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT COMPETITION. |
| 02:38:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:38:18 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:38:23 | MR. LINDER: MR. |
| 02:38:24 | SPEAKER, HOW MUCH -- HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT? |
| 02:38:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS 11 1/2 MINUTES. |
| 02:38:29 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK HAS ONE MINUTE. |
| 02:38:31 | MR. LINDER: I RESERVE MY TIME FOR CLOSING. |
| 02:38:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 02:38:36 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:38:37 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MAY I INQUIRE IF THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS ANYMORE REQUESTS FOR TIME? |
| 02:38:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS INDICATING HE WILL CLOSE. |
| 02:38:47 | MS. SLAUGHTER: ONLY TO CLOSE. |
| 02:38:48 | IN THAT CASE I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:38:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 02:38:52 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 02:38:53 | MR. |
| 02:38:54 | LINDER: MR. |
| 02:38:55 | SPEAKER, WE HAVE HAD AN INTERESTING DEBATE HERE. |
| 02:38:56 | WE HAD A PARADE OF FEMALE DEMOCRATS MARCH DOWN CITING THE MANTRA THIS DOES NOTHING FOR SENIOR WOMEN, AND N. |
| 02:39:05 | FACT, NOT ONE OF THEM SPOKE WITH ANY PARTICULARITY TO THE BILL. |
| 02:39:09 | WE HAD MRS. |
| 02:39:10 | JOHNSON STEP UP RIGHT AFTER THAT AND LIST TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME WHERE THERE WAS A BENEFIT FOR WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND MOST PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME WOMEN. |
| 02:39:21 | WOMEN HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY OUR SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY THROUGH MEDICARE. |
| 02:39:26 | AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANY PARTY OR ANY CONGRESS HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO FIX THAT. |
| 02:39:33 | THIS IS A GENUINE IMPROVEMENT ON THIS CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE. |
| 02:39:39 | FACTS DON'T CEASE TO EXIST JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE IGNORED. |
| 02:39:42 | IT WAS A FACT THAT SOME TIME AGO THE DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED THIS BODY FOR 40 YEARS AND CONTROLLED THE WHITE HOUSE FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE MIDST OF THAT AND NEVER ONCE PUT FORTH THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM. |
| 02:39:56 | IT WAS A FACT THAT WHEN I CAME HERE IN 1993 THEY HAD OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES, AND THE PRESIDENT WHO WAS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT TAKING OVER THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T EVER PUT ON THE FLOOR FOR A DISCUSSION OR DEBATE ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM FOR EITHER SIDE TO CONSIDER. |
| 02:40:14 | IT IS A FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT FORTH A PROGRAM THAT FIT WITHIN THE BUDGET AGREEMENT THAT WAS PASSED BY THIS HOUSE, A DISCIPLINE THAT THIS BODY AND THIS SIDE OF THE HOUSE TOOK SERIOUSLY. |
| 02:40:30 | WE PUT FORTH A BILL THAT FIT WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE. |
| 02:40:33 | THEY DIDN'T. |
| 02:40:34 | THIS IS OUR PROPOSAL. THIS IS OUR RULE. |
| 02:40:35 | WE URGE SUPPORT FOR IT AND I MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. |
| 02:40:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ALL TIME FOR DEBATE ON THE RESOLUTION HAS EXPIRED. |
| 02:40:42 | WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. |
| 02:40:44 | THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 02:40:46 | ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 02:40:48 | ALL THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 02:40:53 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 02:40:54 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:40:55 | MS. SLAUGHTER: MR. |
| 02:40:56 | SPEAKER, I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 03:04:11 | THE CHAIR REQUESTS THAT MEMBERS REMOVE AUDIBLE CONVERSATION, TAKE SEATS SO THE HOUSE MAY CONTINUE ITS WORK. |
| 03:05:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR REQUESTS THAT MEMBERS REMOVE AUDIBLE CONVERSATION. |
| 03:05:13 | MEMBERS IN THE REAR OF THE CHAMBER WOULD KINDLY REMOVE THEIR CONVERSATIONS TO THE CLOAKROOM. |
| 03:05:24 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT RISE? |
| 03:05:26 | MS. JOHNSON: PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 465, I CALL UP THE BILL H. |
| 03:05:31 | R. 4954, THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACT OF 2002 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. |
| 03:05:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 03:05:43 | THE CLERK: H. |
| 03:05:44 | R. 4954, A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, TO MODERNIZE AND REFORM PAYMENTS AND THE REGULATORY STRUCTURE OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 03:05:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 465, THE BILL IS CONSIDERED READ FOR AMENDMENT. |
| 03:06:03 | IN LIEU OF THE AMENDMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE, PRINTED IN HOUSE REPORT 107-553 IS ADOPTED. |
| 03:06:13 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MRS. |
| 03:06:15 | JOHNSON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 03:06:18 | STARK, THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 03:06:19 | TAUZIN, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. |
| 03:06:21 | DINGELL, EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES OF DEBATE ON THE BILL. |
| 03:06:24 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM -- THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, BUT FIRST THE CHAIR WILL OBTAIN ORDER. |
| 03:06:40 | THE CHAIR REQUESTS THAT MEMBERS TAKE SEATS. |
| 03:06:52 | REMOVE AUDIBLE CONVERSATIONS. |
| 03:07:04 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 MINUTES. |
| 03:07:07 | MRS. JOHNSON: I THANK YOU, MR. |
| 03:07:10 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 03:07:11 | I YIELD MYSELF THREE MINUTES. |
| 03:07:13 | I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H. |
| 03:07:19 | R. 4954, BECAUSE IT PROVIDES PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO ALL SENIORS AS ANONYMITY UNDER MEDICARE. |
| 03:07:28 | -- AS AN ENTITLEMENT UNDER MEDICARE. |
| 03:07:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY WILL SUSPEND. |
| 03:07:33 | THE CHAIR AGAIN REQUESTS THAT MEMBERS CEASE AUDIBLE CONVERSATION. |
| 03:07:41 | THE HOUSE WILL BE NOT CONTINUE UNTIL THE HOUSE IS IN ORDER. |
| 03:07:55 | MEMBERS IN THE REAR OF THE CHAMBER CARRYING ON CONVERSATION ALSO KINDLY REMOVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO THE CLOAKROOM. |
| 03:08:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:08:28 | THE CHAIR REQUESTS THAT MEMBERS CARRYING ON CONVERSATION IN THE REAR OF THE CHAMBER KINDLY REMOVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO THE HOUSE -- SO THE HOUSE MAY CONTINUE ITS WORK. |
| 03:08:43 | THE GENTLELADY MAY PROCEED. |
| 03:08:45 | MRS. JOHNSON: MR. |
| 03:08:46 | CHAIRMAN, I AM HONORED TO BRING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR OF THIS GREAT HOUSE. |
| 03:08:53 | EVERYWHERE I GO, SENIORS LOOK AT ME WITH WORRY IN THEIR EYES, CONCERN THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO BUY THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NEEDED TO GET WELL. |
| 03:09:06 | WORRIED THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE MANY PRESCRIPTIONS NEEDED TO ENABLE THEM TO ENJOY THEIR LIVES AND KEEP ON WITH THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES. |
| 03:09:17 | MR. SPEAKER, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ASSURING THAT OUR SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS PART OF MEDICARE WITHIN MEDICARE AS PART OF THAT ENTITLEMENT TO HEALTH SERVICES, BECAUSE, INDEED, MEDICARE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IS A MERE SHADOW OF THE PROMISE OF HEALTH CARE SECURITY THAT MEDICARE HAS ALWAYS REPRESENTED TO THE SENIORS OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY. |
| 03:09:43 | MR. CHAIRMAN, I AM VERY PROUD THAT THIS BILL PROVIDES THE DEEPEST DISCOUNTS ON DRUG PRICES THAT ANY BILL HAS EVER BROUGHT TO THIS FLOOR. |
| 03:09:53 | IT'S A 30% DISCOUNT COMPARED TO EVERY OTHER PLAN THAT PROVIDES A 10% DISCOUNT. |
| 03:09:59 | ON TOP OF THAT 30% DISCOUNT, OUR POWERFUL SUBSIDY -- ARE POWERFUL SUBSIDIES, 80% SUBSIDIES UP TO $1,000 AND 50-50 AFTER THAT. |
| 03:10:14 | THIS IS POWERFUL HELP. |
| 03:10:16 | FOR THOSE LIVING UNDER 150% OF POVERTY INCOME T. |
| 03:10:19 | WILL PROVIDE 100% OF THEIR DRUG -- INCOME, IT WILL PROVIDE 100% OF THEIR DRUG COST NEEDS. |
| 03:10:27 | OVER THAT WILL STATES WILL HAVE FREED UP RESOURCES TO HELP THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 03:10:32 | THIS IS A POWERFUL BENEFIT FOR OUR SENIORS RIGHT UP THROUGH CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE, WHICH PROVIDES THE PEACE OF MIND THAT THEY SO DESERVE IN THEIR SENIOR YEARS. |
| 03:10:43 | BUT THAT ISN'T ALL THIS BILL DOES. |
| 03:10:45 | IT GOES ON TO PROVIDE BETTER PRETENTATIVE -- PREVENTIVE CARE FOR OUR SENIORS. |
| 03:10:52 | PROVIDE THOSE PLANS THAT ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE DISEASE MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY SENIORS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS WILL ENJOY HEALTH IN THEIR ELDER YEARS, AND IT REDUCES THE COST OF MEDICATION ERRORS AND PROVIDES SAFETY FOR OUR SENIORS, COMPENSATES OUR PROVIDERS MORE REALISTICALLY, AND IN GENERAL WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 03:11:13 | ILL GEA INTO THE DETAILS LATER, BUT I WANT TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME FOR -- I WILL GO INTO THE DETAILS LATER, BUT I WANT TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME FOR NOW. |
| 03:11:26 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:11:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 03:11:30 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 MINUTES. |
| 03:11:35 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 03:11:36 | SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE JUST TO EXPLAIN THAT WHEN YOU SELL OUT TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, YOU GET THE REPUBLICAN BILL. |
| 03:11:45 | YOU FREE UP ANY RESOURCES, THEY GO TO HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 03:11:50 | THE TRUTH IS THAT THE AVERAGE SENIOR IN THIS COUNTRY SPENDS $3,059 ON DRUGS. |
| 03:11:57 | AND UNDER THE REPUBLICAN PLAN, THEY'LL HAVE TO SPEND $1,959 OUT OF POCKET TO GET THAT $3,000 WORTH OF DRUGS. |
| 03:12:08 | UNDER THE BILL THAT WE WOULD SUGGEST, THEY WOULD SPEND ONLY $691. |
| 03:12:15 | 80. SO YOU CAN SEE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN, HAD WE BEEN ALLOWED TO OFFER IT, IS BETTER. |
| 03:12:22 | IT DOES SOMETHING FOR THE SENIORS THAT THE REPUBLICAN BILL DOESN'T DO. |
| 03:12:28 | IT GIVES THEM THE WHEREWITHAL TO AFFORD DRUGS. |
| 03:12:33 | IT GIVES THEM AN ENTITLEMENT THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO. |
| 03:12:38 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL IS A ENTITLEMENT FOR THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. |
| 03:12:43 | THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO GET ANY MONEY UNDER THE REPUBLICAN BILL. |
| 03:12:46 | UNDER OUR ALTERNATIVE, THE SENIORS ARE ENTITLED. |
| 03:12:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:12:53 | MR. |
| 03:12:54 | STARK: I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:12:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:12:59 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, THREE MINUTES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, AND AN EXPERT ON HEALTH POLICY AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 03:13:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 03:13:10 | MR. THOMAS: I THANK THE GENTLEWOMAN. |
| 03:13:12 | AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TALK ABOUT REALITY. |
| 03:13:15 | WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE IS THAT THEY WANT TO OPERATE UNDER DEMOCRACY. |
| 03:13:23 | THE DEMOCRACY DOESN'T OPERATE HERE. |
| 03:13:29 | THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND CHAOS. |
| 03:13:32 | DEMOCRACY MEANS MAJORITY RULES. |
| 03:13:33 | BUT IT ALSO MEANS RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY. |
| 03:13:37 | WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE RIGHTS? |
| 03:13:38 | THE RIGHTS ARE THE MINORITY GETS TO PARTICIPATE IF THEY PLAY BY THE RULES. |
| 03:13:43 | WHAT ARE THE RULES? |
| 03:13:44 | THAT UNDER THE BUDGET YOU WANT DEMOCRACY -- UNDER THE BUDGET, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OFFER A PLAN WHICH COSTS NO MORE THAN THE AMOUNT THE BUDGET PROVIDES, $350 BILLION. |
| 03:13:59 | WHAT YOU PRESENTED WAS A PLAN THAT COSTS $974 BILLION. |
| 03:14:05 | GUESS WHAT? YOU DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES, YOU DON'T GET TO OFFER YOUR SUBSTITUTE. |
| 03:14:09 | WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE RULES. |
| 03:14:14 | THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY. |
| 03:14:18 | SECONDLY, WHAT I HEARD FROM THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA WHILE WE WERE ARGUING THE RULES WAS, AND OUR BILL DOESN'T DO A PAYBACK TO THE PROVIDERS. |
| 03:14:29 | WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? |
| 03:14:30 | THEY ARE GOING TO SPEND $1 TRILLION, AND THEY DON'T TAKE ANY OF IT TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT OUR PHYSICIANS SERVING SENIORS HAVE A PAYMENT SYSTEM THAT IS BROKEN. |
| 03:14:44 | WHY IS IT BROKEN? |
| 03:14:45 | BECAUSE IT ISN'T AUTOMATIC. |
| 03:14:47 | IF IT WERE AUTOMATIC, IT WOULD ADJUST TO THE MARKET. |
| 03:14:50 | INSTEAD, IT'S AN ARBITRARY FIXED PRICE. |
| 03:14:54 | BUT THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO FIX THAT IN THEIR BILL. |
| 03:14:58 | NOW, WE HAVE ALSO HEARD SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LATE -- AND THE LATEST ARGUMENT WAS WE WERE IN THE POCKET OF SOMEBODY. |
| 03:15:04 | THAT REPUBLICANS CAN ONLY WRITE A BILL IF THEY ARE IN THE POCKET OF SOMEBODY. |
| 03:15:09 | OFTENTIMES WE HAVE HEARD WE ARE IN THE PEAKT OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS -- POCKET OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS. |
| 03:15:15 | LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT IS IN THIS BILL. |
| 03:15:19 | THE DEMOCRATS PUT INTO EFFECT A PAYMENT CALLED BEST PRICE. |
| 03:15:26 | WHENEVER SOMEONE SAYS WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BEST PRICE, YOU BETTER BEWARE. |
| 03:15:31 | WHAT IS BEST PRICE? |
| 03:15:33 | IT IS AN ARBITRARY BUREAUCRATIC GREEN EYE SHADE DETERMINATION OF A FLOOR OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO PAY YOU. |
| 03:15:42 | WHEN THE DEMOCRATS RAN THIS PLACE, AND WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WROTE LEGISLATION, THEY PUT IN BEST PRICE. |
| 03:15:49 | DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE SUGGEST? |
| 03:15:51 | IN THIS BILL WE GET RID OF BEST PRICE. |
| 03:15:53 | NOW WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU PAY IF YOU GOT RID OF BEST PRICE? |
| 03:15:58 | GUESS WHAT? |
| 03:15:59 | YOU KNOW THAT POCKET OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS WE ARE IN? |
| 03:16:03 | THERE IS GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT MORE ROOM FOR US, BECAUSE THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS GET TAKEN OUT OF THEIR BOTTOM LINE $18 BILLION IN THIS BILL. |
| 03:16:15 | THEY ARE DENIED $18 BILLION BY GOING FROM BEST PRICE -- 30 SECONDS. |
| 03:16:21 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. |
| 03:16:24 | MR. THOMAS: THEY HAVE TO HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY THE TUNE OF $18 BILLION, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF BEST PRICE, GUESS WHAT WE ASK THEM TO DO? |
| 03:16:32 | WE ASK THEM TO COMPETE. |
| 03:16:36 | WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF LAWS TO PRODUCE PURE DRUGS. |
| 03:16:40 | WHO WILL GIVE IT TO US AT THE CHEAPEST PRICE? |
| 03:16:43 | A MODEST COMPETITION PRODUCE AS SAVINGS OF $18 BILLION APPLIED TO THE BENEFITS TO SENIORS PAID FOR BY PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS. |
| 03:16:56 | THEY HAVE NOTHING IN THEIR BILL, THEY HAVE RHETORIC. |
| 03:17:00 | THEY HAVE HOT AIR. |
| 03:17:01 | WE HAVE $18 BILLION PAID OUT OF THE POCKETS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS TO HELP SENIORS. |
| 03:17:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:17:09 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:17:11 | MR. STARK: PRIOR TO YIELDING TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, I WOULD REMIND THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE THAT I SUGGESTED THAT THE REPUBLICANS WERE IN THE POCKET OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND I WAS ABOUT TO SAY THAT WHEN YOU GO TO BED WITH THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, YOU GET A BILL LIKE THIS. |
| 03:17:32 | I YIELD MR. |
| 03:17:34 | LEVIN, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:17:37 | MR. LEVIN: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:17:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? |
| 03:17:42 | MR. |
| 03:17:43 | LEVIN: TWO MINUTES. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:17:46 | MR. |
| 03:17:49 | LEVIN: MR. THOMAS, DEMOCRACY MEANS GIVE THE MINORITY A SUBSTITUTE BILL, PERIOD. |
| 03:17:54 | THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS. |
| 03:17:58 | UNDER THE RULES -- LOOK, WE GO BY THE AMERICAN RULES, NOT THE BILL THOMAS RULES. |
| 03:18:05 | THAT'S WHAT WE GO BY. |
| 03:18:07 | IT IS A DISGRACE YOU DON'T GIVE US THE CHANCE FOR A SUBSTITUTE. |
| 03:18:12 | YOU DID IT ON THE TRADE BILL. |
| 03:18:13 | A MOTION TO RECOMMIT. |
| 03:18:15 | NOW ARE YOU DOING IT ON THIS. |
| 03:18:16 | MR. |
| 03:18:17 | THOMAS: WILL THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? |
| 03:18:19 | MR. LEVIN: NO. |
| 03:18:21 | MR. THOMAS: IN DEMOCRACY, PEOPLE YIELD. |
| 03:18:22 | MR. |
| 03:18:24 | LEVIN: YEAH. |
| 03:18:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 03:18:26 | MR. |
| 03:18:27 | LEVIN: WE WILL NEVER YIELD TO YOUR DEMEANING DEMOCRACY, MR. |
| 03:18:30 | THOMAS. |
| 03:18:31 | AND YOU TAUGHT MRS. |
| 03:18:33 | JOHNSON ABOUT THIS GREAT HOUSE, I WANT TO TALK SUBSTANCE. |
| 03:18:40 | YOU ARE DEMEANING THIS GREAT HOUSE. |
| 03:18:42 | YOU ARE CHANGING THIS FROM THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE TO SOMETHING ELSE. |
| 03:18:44 | LOOK, THIS BILL IS A SHELL. |
| 03:18:48 | IT'S WORSE THAN EMPTY IN THE SENSE IT'S FILLED WITH DECEPTIONS. |
| 03:18:55 | 10 WORDS, NO SET PREMIUMS, NO ASSURED BENEFITS, AND USE OF PRIVATE INSURANCE. |
| 03:19:06 | MRS. JOHNSON SAID ABOUT AN HOUR AGO, LET'S NOT GET INTO THE DETAILS. |
| 03:19:10 | I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY. |
| 03:19:11 | YOU LIKE TO SAY THAT 44% OF WOMEN WILL BE COVERED WITHOUT COST. |
| 03:19:21 | YOU DON'T SAY THAT THOSE WOMEN ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO PAYING MORE THAN $2,000 AND AFTER THAT THEY FALL INTO A DEEP HOLE OF NONCOVERAGE. |
| 03:19:34 | THIS BILL IS NOT PART OF MEDICARE LIKE HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN BILLS. |
| 03:19:41 | AND WE SAY WHY NOT? |
| 03:19:43 | YOU JUST DON'T LIKE MEDICARE. |
| 03:19:48 | NOW, MR. |
| 03:19:49 | THOMAS DOESN'T LIKE US TO TALK ABOUT MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE. |
| 03:19:55 | I CAN UNDERSTAND. |
| 03:19:56 | THAT HASN'T WORKED. |
| 03:20:02 | MR. STARK: I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. |
| 03:20:05 | MR. |
| 03:20:06 | LEVIN: UNDER MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE IF THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY, THEN YOU HAVE TO COME TO CONGRESS. |
| 03:20:13 | UNDER YOUR BILL, IF THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY, I WOULD CALL THIS NO PRESCRIPTION CHOICE EXCEPT YOU CAN RUN TO THE SECRETARY TO GET SOME MORE MONEY. |
| 03:20:29 | THIS BILL, AS I SAID, IS WORSE THAN AN EMPTY SHELL. |
| 03:20:35 | AND WHAT MAKES IT WORSE IS, YOU ARE PLAYING A SHELL GAME WITH DEMOCRACY. |
| 03:20:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:20:44 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:20:46 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. |
| 03:20:49 | CRANE. |
| 03:20:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:20:52 | MR. |
| 03:20:53 | CRANE: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. |
| 03:20:54 | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H. |
| 03:20:58 | R. 4954, THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACT. |
| 03:21:01 | WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICARE, CONGRESS MUST CONSISTENTLY BALANCE ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES FROM QUALIFIED PROVIDERS, COST, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 03:21:13 | THIS LEGISLATION DOES JUST THAT. |
| 03:21:15 | H. |
| 03:21:16 | R. 4954 PROVIDES A LONG OVERDUE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT THAT'S VOLUNTARY AND AVAILABLE TO ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY. |
| 03:21:28 | OUR HOUSE-PASSED BUDGET PROVIDES FOR $350 BILLION FOR A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT AND MODERNIZATIONS TO THE PROGRAM. |
| 03:21:35 | ACCORDING TO C. |
| 03:21:36 | B.O. ESTIMATES, OUR PROPOSED DRUG BENEFIT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $310 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS AND ALSO ACHIEVES A 30% SAVINGS ON DRUG COSTS. |
| 03:21:46 | IT'S PROJECTED IN 2004, THE MEDIAN OUT-OF-POCKET DRUG COSTS FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WILL BE $1,453. |
| 03:21:54 | UNDER OUR PROPOSAL, $827 OF THAT, MORE THAN 50%, THE BENEFICIARY'S DRUG EXPENDITURES WILL BE COVERED. |
| 03:22:05 | THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACT ALSO PROVIDES A NUMBER OF REASONABLE AND NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO PROVIDER PAYMENTS. |
| 03:22:13 | MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDES A $21. |
| 03:22:16 | 3 BILLION FOR PHYSICIANS TO REVERSE THE NEGATIVE AND IRRATIONAL PAYMENT UPDATES THEY RECEIVE THIS YEAR AND ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE NEXT YEAR. |
| 03:22:26 | THE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT PROVISION HELPS US TO ENSURE PHYSICIANS WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES TO BENEFICIARIES. |
| 03:22:35 | IF WE DO NOT ENSURE THAT PROVIDERS ARE ADEQUATELY REIMBURSED, ALL THE NEW BENEFITS WE HAVE PASSED AND WILL PASS FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WILL BE FOR NOT BECAUSE PROVIDERS WILL CLOSE THEIR DOORS TO BENEFICIARIES. |
| 03:22:48 | MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARGUE THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS AN EMPTY PROMISE TO SENIORS. |
| 03:22:53 | I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE. |
| 03:22:56 | THIS PACKAGE PROVIDES A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT THAT COVERS MORE THAN 95% OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AND HELPS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES. |
| 03:23:05 | WILL THE GENTLELADY YIELD ANOTHER 30 SECONDS? |
| 03:23:08 | MRS. |
| 03:23:09 | JOHNSON: AN ADDITIONAL 15 SECONDS. |
| 03:23:12 | MR. CRANE: LET'S GIVE OUR SENIORS ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES THEY DESERVE AND PASS A MEANINGFUL HEALTH CARE BENEFIT THAT IS VOLUNTARY TO ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. |
| 03:23:20 | LET'S MAKE SURE OUR SENIORS HAVE CHOICE IN MEDICARE. |
| 03:23:23 | LET'S NOT PLAY POLITICS WITH AMERICA'S SENIORS. |
| 03:23:25 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACT. |
| 03:23:30 | AND I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING. |
| 03:23:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:23:34 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:23:37 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 03:23:38 | SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. |
| 03:23:44 | CARDIN. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:23:46 | MR. CARDIN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 03:23:47 | SPEAKER. |
| 03:23:48 | THIS BILL IS FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. |
| 03:23:50 | IT DOESN'T USE THE MEDICARE MODEL FOR PROVIDING BENEFITS. |
| 03:23:53 | AND MEDICARE, WHEN WE PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR PHYSICIANS OR HOSPITALS, OUR SENIORS ARE GUARANTEED THOSE BENEFITS. |
| 03:24:00 | IN THIS BILL FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, THEY ARE GUARANTEED NOTHING. |
| 03:24:03 | IT REMINDS ME OF WHAT WE TOLD OUR SENIORS OF H. |
| 03:24:06 | M.O.'S. JOIN H. |
| 03:24:07 | M.O.'S AND YOU'LL GET PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE. |
| 03:24:09 | WHAT HAPPENED? |
| 03:24:10 | AS SOON AS THEY JOINED, THE DEDUCTIBLES AND CO-PAYS WENT UP AND THE AMOUNT OF COVERAGE WENT DOWN. |
| 03:24:16 | THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THIS BILL ON PREMIUMS LIKE UNDER MEDICARE. |
| 03:24:20 | IN MEDICARE, OUR SENIORS KNOW THAT THEIR PREMIUM IS TIED TO 25% OF THE COST. |
| 03:24:27 | THEY KNOW HOW MUCH IT WILL BE. |
| 03:24:29 | THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THIS BILL AS TO WHAT THE PREMIUM WILL BE SET AT OR HOW MUCH IT WILL INCREASE. |
| 03:24:35 | NO PROTECTIONS TO OUR SENIORS. |
| 03:24:37 | IN MEDICARE, WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE A REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY. |
| 03:24:43 | YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON MEDICARE. |
| 03:24:47 | THE UNDERLYING BILL RELIES ON PRIVATE INSURANCE. |
| 03:24:50 | MR. SPEAKER, THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THIS BILL FOR THOSE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES LEAVING OUR COMMUNITY. |
| 03:24:55 | LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE H. |
| 03:24:57 | M.O.'S. THEY ENROLLED SENIORS AND BROUGHT THEM IN AND THEN THEY LEFT TOWN. |
| 03:25:01 | ASK THE PEOPLE IN MARYLAND. |
| 03:25:03 | IN 1996, WE HAD EIGHT H. |
| 03:25:06 | M.O.'S WRITING SENIORS' BUSINESS, PRIVATE INSURANCE. |
| 03:25:09 | TODAY WE HAVE ONE WITH A CAPPED ENROLLMENT. |
| 03:25:13 | THE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE THERE AS LONG AS THEY CAN MAKE MONEY. |
| 03:25:16 | AS SOON AS THEY CAN'T MAKE MONEY, THEY'LL BE GONE. |
| 03:25:18 | THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THIS BILL TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO OUR SENIORS. |
| 03:25:22 | IT'S FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED, AND WE SHOULD CORRECT IT. |
| 03:25:25 | WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT WITH A MOTION TO RECOMMIT. |
| 03:25:29 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT PROVIDING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS, LET'S USE THE MODEL THAT HAS WORKED, THE MEDICARE MODEL. |
| 03:25:39 | LET'S NOT USE SOLELY PRIVATE INSURANCE. |
| 03:25:41 | IT HASN'T WORKED IN THE PAST AND IT WON'T WORK UNDER THIS BILL. |
| 03:25:44 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:25:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:25:48 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:25:49 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, AN ESTEEMED MEMBER OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF HEALTH OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, MR. |
| 03:25:59 | MCCRERY. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:26:02 | MR. MCCRERY: I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING AND I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:26:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:26:07 | MR. |
| 03:26:08 | MCCRERY: TO THOSE WHO SAY THE BENEFITS IN THIS BILL ARE NOT RICH ENOUGH, I WOULD ASK THEM TO REMEMBER THAT MEDICARE SPENDING, DESPITE THE BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997, IS STILL GROWING AT AN UNSUSTAINABLE RATE. |
| 03:26:19 | AS A SHARE OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, MEDICARE HAS GROWN FROM 1. |
| 03:26:24 | 3% IN 1980 TO MORE THAN 2. |
| 03:26:26 | 2% TODAY AND WILL HIT 5% BY THE YEAR 2030. |
| 03:26:29 | BY 2075, MEDICARE WILL BE JUST UNDER 10% OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. |
| 03:26:36 | A 10% OF G. |
| 03:26:38 | D.P. MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH UNTIL YOU CONSIDER THAT OVER THE LAST FOUR DECADES, FEDERAL TAX REVENUES HAVE AVERAGED BETWEEN 18% AND 19% OF G. |
| 03:26:47 | D.P. IN OTHER WORDS, MR. |
| 03:26:48 | SPEAKER, UNDER CURRENT PROJECTIONS, UNLESS THE FEDERAL TAX BURDEN IS RAISED TO NEW AND POTENTIALLY ECONOMICALLY DESTRUCTIVE LEVELS, MEDICARE, TOGETHER WITH SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID, WILL QUICKLY CROWD OUT SPENDING ON OTHER IMPORTANT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING DEFENSE, HOMELAND SECURITY, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHERS. |
| 03:27:05 | THESE LONG-TERM TRENDS WILL ONLY BE EXACERBATED BY THE ADDITION OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT WHICH IS NOT COUPLED WITH MEANINGFUL, STRUCTURAL REFORM OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 03:27:15 | I'M PLEASED, THEREFORE, THAT THE LEGISLATION BEFORE US THIS EVENING INCLUDES THE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS THE LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL REFORMS NEEDED TO BEND THE GROWTH CURVE. |
| 03:27:28 | JUST AS IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONGRESS, MR. |
| 03:27:32 | SPEAKER, TO NOT HELP SENIORS WITH THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO ADD A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT TO MEDICARE WITHOUT TACKLING THESE LONG-TERM TRENDS IN THE GROWTH OF MEDICARE SPENDING. |
| 03:27:44 | I HOPE, MR. |
| 03:27:45 | SPEAKER, THAT NEXT YEAR WE'LL COME BACK HERE ON THIS FLOOR AND CONTINUE THE KINDS OF REFORMS THAT WE START IN THIS BILL TONIGHT SO THAT THOSE WHO ARE UNDER 65 IN OUR SOCIETY WON'T BE BURDENED WITH A TAX DEBT THAT JUST CANNOT BE SUSTAINED AND CONTINUE THE KIND OF SOCIETY, THE KIND OF ECONOMY THAT WE ENJOY IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 03:28:07 | SO, MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO ADOPT THIS BILL, ALONG WITH THE MINOR REFORMS THAT WE HAVE THIS EVENING. |
| 03:28:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:28:16 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:28:17 | MR. |
| 03:28:18 | STARK: MR. |
| 03:28:19 | SPEAKER, PENDING RECOGNIZING THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON, MR. |
| 03:28:24 | MCDERMOTT, FOR TWO MINUTES, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND THE MEMBERS THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA RECALLS THAT IT WAS THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MRS. |
| 03:28:35 | JOHNSON, WHO VOTED IN COMMITTEE NOT TO INCREASE MONEY FOR NURSING HOMES, SHE VOTED AGAINST ELIMINATING CO-PAYS FOR HOME HEALTH CARE, SHE VOTED AGAINST LIMITING THE PREMIUMS TO SENIORS, AND SHE VOTED AGAINST GIVING SENIORS THE CHOICE OF GOING TO ANY PHARMACY. |
| 03:28:52 | SO MUCH FOR HER CONCERN FOR THE SENIORS, I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON. |
| 03:28:57 | MRS. JOHNSON: I ASSUME MY COLLEAGUE WAS SPEAKING ON HIS OWN TIME. |
| 03:29:00 | >> REGULAR ORDER. |
| 03:29:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS CORRECT. |
| 03:29:05 | THE GENTLEMAN WAS SPEAKING ON HIS TIME. |
| 03:29:06 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:29:11 | MR. |
| 03:29:12 | STARK: I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON, MR. |
| 03:29:15 | MCDERMOTT, TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:29:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:29:19 | MR. MCDERMOTT: MR. |
| 03:29:20 | SPEAKER, THIS IS A BAD BILL BECAUSE THERE'S NO ASSURED BENEFITS AND THERE'S NO SET PREMIUMS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ARE PRIVATIZING MEDICARE. |
| 03:29:33 | THEY ARE GIVING THIS WHOLE BENEFIT TO THE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 03:29:37 | NOW, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIRED THE MEDICARE COMMISSION AND SPENT AN ENTIRE YEAR TRYING TO GET A VOUCHER SYSTEM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN MEDICARE. |
| 03:29:50 | THIS IS HIS SECOND TRY. |
| 03:29:53 | BURIED IN THIS BILL IS THE CREATION OF A NEW PRIVATE BENEFIT MANAGING COMPANY, OR MANAGING AUTHORITY, THAT WILL HANDLE THE H. |
| 03:30:03 | M.O.'S AND WILL HANDLE THE PRIVATE DRUG PLANS. |
| 03:30:07 | NOW, YOU THINK I'M MAKING THIS UP, BUT IF YOU TAKE THE BILL, AND I BET YOU THERE ISN'T A PERSON ON THIS FLOOR THAT'S READ PAGE 157, LINE 16, WHICH PREVENTS THE SECRETARY OF H. |
| 03:30:23 | H.S. FROM, QUOTE, INTERFERING IN ANY WAY WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE PRIVATE DRUG PLANS AND THE MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE ORGANIZATIONS AND DRUG MANUFACTURERS. |
| 03:30:35 | NOW, WHAT THIS IS SAYING IS THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE, HAS NO ABILITY TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, THE SENIOR CITIZENS, THE 40 MILLION PEOPLE THAT COUNT ON THIS PROGRAM, AND NEGOTIATE FOR THEM. |
| 03:30:54 | HE HAS TO STAND -- OR SHE HAS TO STAND BACK AND LET THE PRIVATE DRUG PROGRAMS AND THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES NEGOTIATE. |
| 03:31:04 | NOW, WE ALL SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE. |
| 03:31:09 | HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE LURED INTO H. |
| 03:31:14 | M.O.'S AND THEN WERE DUMPED OUT IN THE STREET, 500,000 IN MY STATE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, AND YOU SAY, WELL, WE DIDN'T LEARN ANYTHING FROM THAT. |
| 03:31:27 | WE KNOW THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM, SO LET'S GIVE THEM THE DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 03:31:32 | YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE SAME THING, AND IT'S ROTTEN. |
| 03:31:35 | EVERYONE SHOULD VOTE NO AND VOTE YES ON THE DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVE. |
| 03:31:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:31:43 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:31:44 | MRS. JOHNSON: I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:31:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:31:55 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 03:31:56 | SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN, MR. |
| 03:32:01 | KLECZKA, FOR TWO MINUTES, AND PENDING THAT, I WOULD YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS TO REMIND THE MEMBERS THAT BOTH MRS. |
| 03:32:08 | JOHNSON FROM CONNECTICUT AND MR. |
| 03:32:09 | SHAW FROM FLORIDA VOTED AGAINST INCREASING PAYMENTS TO HOSPITALS, VOTED AGAINST FILLING THE REPUBLICAN GAP IN THE DRUG COVERAGE, AND VOTED AGAINST REQUIRING DRUG COMPANIES TO OFFER REAL DISCOUNTS, SO MUCH THAT THEY CARE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY. |
| 03:32:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:32:31 | MR. KLECZKA: MR. |
| 03:32:32 | SPEAKER AND MEMBERS, WE'RE TOLD BY MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS A POWERFUL BENEFIT THAT, THIS IS A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY. |
| 03:32:39 | WELL, NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. |
| 03:32:44 | FOR YOU SEE, MR. |
| 03:32:45 | SPEAKER, TWO YEARS AGO TO THE DAY, AN IDENTICAL BILL PASSED THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 03:32:54 | AND WHY DID IT PASS TWO YEARS AGO AT THIS TIME, AND WHY IS THE BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY? |
| 03:33:02 | BECAUSE FOUR MONTHS FROM NOW WE WILL HAVE THE NOVEMBER CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS. |
| 03:33:07 | AND YOU SEE, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WANTS A DRUG BENEFIT, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE ONE, BUT THEY KEEP BRINGING UP THIS FIG LEAF, FOUR MONTHS, EVERY TWO YEARS BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS. |
| 03:33:21 | BUT WHAT IS THEIR BILL ALL ABOUT? |
| 03:33:23 | THIS IS NOT A MEDICARE BENEFIT LIKE HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN, THIS IS A SUBSIDY TO INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 03:33:32 | WE WERE TOLD TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THIS SAME BILL WAS UP THAT NO INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE GOING TO SELL THESE POLICIES. |
| 03:33:40 | FOR EVERYONE WHO BUYS A POLICY, WE'LL HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE POLICY. |
| 03:33:44 | AND IT IS GOING TO BE IDENTICAL TO THE FAILED EXPERIMENT FROM MR. |
| 03:33:49 | THOMAS CALLED MEDICARE CHOICE. |
| 03:33:53 | TWO MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CANCELED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM THAT PLAN, AND THE SAME IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE. |
| 03:34:02 | BUT FOR A SENIOR WITH DRUG COSTS OF $3,800 A YEAR, THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WILL GIVE THEM ALMOST NOTHING, AFTER THEY'RE CHARGED A PREMIUM, A DEDUCTIBLE, THEY PAY $150 FOR THE FIRST $1,000 OF COST, THEY PAY $500, FOR THE NEXT $1,000, THEN THEY HAVE NO COVERAGE AT ALL FOR ANY AND ALL DRUG COSTS FROM $2,000 TO $3,800. |
| 03:34:28 | SO FOR $3,800 IN DRUG COSTS PER YEAR, THE SENIOR GETS $2,100 OF EXTRA PAYMENTS OUT OF THEIR POCKET. |
| 03:34:38 | THE BENEFIT IS $680. |
| 03:34:39 | IS THAT WHAT THEY WANT TO GIVE THEIR MOTHERS AND THEIR AGING FATHERS? |
| 03:34:44 | THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. |
| 03:34:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:34:49 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:34:51 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA, MR. |
| 03:34:53 | NUSSLE. |
| 03:34:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 03:34:57 | MR. |
| 03:34:58 | NUSSLE: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:35:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:35:01 | MR. NUSSLE: MR. |
| 03:35:02 | SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 03:35:05 | R. 4954, THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION PRESCRIPTION DRUG DRUG ACT. |
| 03:35:08 | IT IS A GOOD BILL AND FITS WITHIN A BUDGET, FITS WITHIN A BUDGET PLAN. |
| 03:35:12 | WE'VE GOT A BUDGET. |
| 03:35:13 | WE'VE GOT A PLAN. |
| 03:35:14 | IT MEETS THE NEEDS OF SENIORS. |
| 03:35:16 | IT MEETS THE NEEDS OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. |
| 03:35:19 | IT MEETS THE NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE. |
| 03:35:22 | IN 1965, MEDICARE SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 03:35:28 | AND FOR MANY YEARS AFTER 1965, DEMOCRATS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION FOR A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 03:35:35 | IN FACT, AS EARLY AS 1993, THEY CONTROLLED THE HOUSE, THE OTHER BODY, AND THE HOUSE DOWN THE ROAD HERE AND DIDN'T DO A THING FOR SENIORS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 03:35:46 | AND NOW TONIGHT THEY RUSH IN, CLAIM THAT WE WON'T LET THEM HAVE A SUBSTITUTE WHEN IN FACT THEIR SUBSTITUTE COSTS ALMOST $1 TRILLION. |
| 03:35:55 | AND THAT'S THE REASON THEY CAN'T HAVE IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT WITHIN A BUDGET AND IT DOESN'T FIT WITHIN A PLAN. |
| 03:36:01 | MR. |
| 03:36:02 | SPEAKER, JUST THREE HOURS AGO, THEY WERE SCREAMING THAT WE HAD TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING BECAUSE WE WERE SPENDING TOO MUCH. |
| 03:36:10 | TONIGHT THEY'RE CLAIMING WE'RE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH. |
| 03:36:12 | VOTE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 03:36:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:36:17 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:36:18 | MR. |
| 03:36:19 | STARK: MR. |
| 03:36:20 | SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE AT THIS TIME TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. |
| 03:36:26 | TANNER, WHO REALIZES THAT THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY PHARMACIST ASSOCIATION STATE THAT THE REPUBLICAN BILL PENALIZES BENEFICIARIES DESIRING TO CONTINUE THEIR TRUSTED RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PHARMACIST AND ACCESS TO VALUABLE PHARMACIST SERVICES. |
| 03:36:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:36:44 | MR. |
| 03:36:45 | TANNER: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT, MR. |
| 03:36:46 | SPEAKER. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:36:47 | MR. |
| 03:36:48 | TANNER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 03:36:49 | STARK, FOR YIELDING. |
| 03:36:50 | MR. |
| 03:36:51 | SPEAKER, MY PROBLEM WITH THE BILL THAT'S UNDER CONSIDERATION TONIGHT IS IN THE THEORY BEHIND IT. |
| 03:36:57 | MY FAMILY'S BEEN IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN TENNESSEE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. |
| 03:37:02 | AND THE REASON WE HAVE MEDICARE IN THIS COUNTRY IS BECAUSE IN THE PRIVATE WORLD OF INSURANCE, THERE IS NO WAY THAT A SENIOR CITIZEN 80 YEARS OLD WITH HEART TROUBLE AND DIABETES CAN BUY HEALTH INSURANCE. |
| 03:37:17 | THAT'S WHY MEDICARE CAME INTO BEING. |
| 03:37:20 | THEY STILL COULDN'T BUY IT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE MEDICARE. |
| 03:37:23 | SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE IS PUT A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE IN THAT THIS BILL TRIES TO MAKE AN INSURABLE PRODUCT OUT OF A BENEFIT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO RISK POOL FOR THE CONCEPT, THE THEORY OF INSURANCE TO WORK. |
| 03:37:42 | NOW, INSURANCE DOESN'T WORK WHEN EVERY POLICYHOLDER IS ALSO MAKING A CLAIM AGAINST THEIR POLCY. |
| 03:37:51 | BY THE VERY INCEPTION OF THIS KIND OF PROTOCOL, EVERY POLICYHOLDER WILL BE MAKING A CLAIM. |
| 03:38:00 | IT SIMPLY IS NOT AN INSURABLE PRODUCT. |
| 03:38:02 | WHAT WE ARE GOING TO WIND UP WITH, I'M AFRAID, AND WE'LL BE BACK HERE IN A YEAR IF THIS PASSES AND PASSES THE SENATE, IS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PATCHWORK ACROSS THE COUNTRY OF DIFFERENTING COVERAGES, DIFFERENTING -- DIFFERING COVERAGES, DIFFERING PLANS, DIFFERING CO-PAYS, DIFFERING PEOPLEUMS, DIFFERING IN EVERY RESPECT. |
| 03:38:27 | NOBODY WILL KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THEY GOT. |
| 03:38:30 | ONE WILL FIGURE WHAT ONE'S DRUG PAYMENT IS A YEAR, IF IT'S LESS THAN WHAT THEY WOULD GET IF THERE IS A PLAN OFFERED, AND KNOWING THEY CAN'T GO TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACY, EVEN IF THE PHARMACY IS WILLING TO ABIDE BY THE PLAN, IF THEIR DRUG BENEFIT IS MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE SPENDING, THEY'LL TAKE IT. |
| 03:38:50 | IF IT'S LESS THAN THAT, THEY WON'T. |
| 03:38:52 | SO EVERYBODY THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES SIGN UP WILL BE MAKING A CLAIM AND WILL BE GETTING MORE THAN THEIR PREMIUM CO-PAYMENTS. |
| 03:39:00 | THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF THIS THING IS FLAWED, THAT'S WHY I CANNOT SUPPORT IT. |
| 03:39:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:39:07 | MRS. |
| 03:39:08 | JOHNSON: I YIELD THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH -- OF WASHINGTON, A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS, TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:39:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:39:19 | MS. DUNN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. |
| 03:39:20 | MR. SPEAKER, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUES TO ALL SENIORS IS THEY BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT IN THEIR RETIREMENT. |
| 03:39:26 | THAT MEANS THEY DON'T WANT TO BE A BURDEN ON THEIR CHILDREN, THAT MEANS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE. |
| 03:39:32 | THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THE LACK OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE HAS CAUSED MANY SENIORS AND ESPECIALLY SENIOR WOMEN TO BE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THEIR INDEPENDENCE. |
| 03:39:41 | I WAS SORRY TO HAVE WITNESSED EARLY THIS EVENING MY WOMEN COLLEAGUES IN THE OPPOSITION CLAIMING THAT OLDER WOMEN WON'T BE HELPED BY THIS BILL, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HOW OLDER WOMEN ARE BEING FORCED TO MAKE TOUGH DECISION ABOUTS WHETHER TO SPEND THEIR LIMITED DOLLARS ON NECESSARY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR OTHER OF LIFE'S NECESSITIES. |
| 03:40:01 | OUR MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS ARE OUTLIVING OUR FATHERS AND OUR GRANDFATHERS. |
| 03:40:05 | THEY ARE LIVING ON FEWER DOLLARS FOR MORE YEARS, AND THEY ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS. |
| 03:40:13 | THIS BILL DOES BENEFIT WOMEN. |
| 03:40:15 | THIS BILL HELPS SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES AND THOSE WITH HIGH DRUG COSTS. |
| 03:40:20 | A WOMAN LIVING ON AN INCOME OF LESS THAN $15,000 A YEAR WILL RECEIVE TOTAL ASSISTANCE FROM THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 03:40:31 | WHILE ALL SENIORS WILL BENEFIT, BECAUSE ANY SENIOR CAN OPT TO BUY THIS COVERAGE, NEARLY 17 MILLION OR 44% OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WILL QUALIFY FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WHEN THIS BILL IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. |
| 03:40:46 | PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BILL, MR. |
| 03:40:48 | SPEAKER, IS THE FACT THAT NO SENIOR UNDER THIS COVERAGE WILL EVER HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $3,700 A YEAR FOR THEIR TOTAL OF DRUGS. |
| 03:40:59 | IMPROVING MEDICARE, THOUGH S. |
| 03:41:00 | NOT ONLY ABOUT PROVIDING DRUG BENEFITS -- THOUGH, IS NOT ONLY ABOUT PROVIDING DRUG BENEFITS, IT'S ABOUT GIVING ACCESS TO DOCTORS, HOSPITALS, AND H. |
| 03:41:10 | M.O.'S AND OTHER SERVICES THEY NEED. |
| 03:41:12 | SO WE PUT ADDITIONAL BENEFITS IN THIS BILL TO ENSURE DOCTORS WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE SENIORS, WE INCREASE THE REIMBURSEMENTS THOSE DOCTORS RECEIVE. |
| 03:41:20 | WE ALSO HELP RURAL, URBAN, AND TEACHING HOSPITALS CARE FOR SENIORS AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. |
| 03:41:26 | FOR MEDICARE H. |
| 03:41:28 | M.O.'S THIS BILL REQUIRES MEDICARE TO ACCOUNT FOR MILITARY RETIREES IN THE FUTURE WHICH MEANS HIGHER MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE REIMBURSEMENTS IN EVERY COUNTY IN THIS COUNTRY WITH MILITARY FACILITIES. |
| 03:41:40 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS FINE BILL. |
| 03:41:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:41:44 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 03:41:45 | SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. |
| 03:41:51 | HOLDEN, ONE MINUTE, AND PENDING THAT YIELD 15 SECONDS TO THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA. |
| 03:41:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA. |
| 03:41:58 | MRS. THURMAN: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:42:00 | I WANT TO POINT OUT SOMETHING HERE THAT CONTINUES TO BE TALKED ABOUT IN THE LOW-INCOME SENIORS BEING GIVEN TOTAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG. |
| 03:42:08 | THE PROBLEM IS IN THE BILL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, IT DOESN'T WAVE THE ASET TEST THAT BENEFICIARIES WOULD HAVE TO MEET IN ORDER TO GET THEIR -- ASSET TEST THE BENEFICIARIES WOULD HAVE TO MEET IN ORDER TO GET THEIR BENEFIT. |
| 03:42:20 | THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE LOW-INCOME BENEFIT WOULD BE MUCH LESS. |
| 03:42:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 03:42:27 | MR. |
| 03:42:28 | HOLDEN: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL. |
| 03:42:29 | THOSE OF US FROM RURAL DISTRICTS AND THOSE OF US FROM CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA KNOW THAT THE IDEA THAT WE ARE GOING TO TURN OVER THE ADMINISTRATION OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY THROUGH THE H. |
| 03:42:43 | M.O.'S AND HAVE IT BE FAIR AND UNIVERSAL IS RIDICULOUS. |
| 03:42:46 | IN FACT, IT'S A JOKE. |
| 03:42:47 | NUMBER ONE, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WANTS NO PART OF IT. |
| 03:42:50 | AT MR. TANNER MENTIONED BEFORE -- AS MR. |
| 03:42:53 | TANNER MENTIONED BEFORE, WHY WOULD THEY, WHEN EVERY POLICYHOLDER WILL FILE A CLAIM? |
| 03:42:58 | THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR SHIRT IN THIS PROS POSAL -- PROPOSAL, MR. |
| 03:43:05 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 03:43:06 | MY CONSTITUENTS HAD TO LOOK AT COMMERCIALS COMING OUT OF THE PHILADELPHIA MEDIA MARKET CADILLAC PLANS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE AND LOW PREMIUMS, AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. |
| 03:43:18 | THE REASON THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IS BECAUSE THEY HAD LOWER PARTICIPATION AND LOWER REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICARE. |
| 03:43:23 | AS A RESULT OF IT, WE DID NOT HAVE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE AT MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE. |
| 03:43:27 | WE CANNOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE. |
| 03:43:30 | WE NEED TO HAVE A DEFINED BENEFIT, AND DEFINED PREMIUM. |
| 03:43:33 | AND WE NEED TO HAVE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE FOR ALL OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 03:43:37 | THANK YOU. |
| 03:43:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:43:39 | MRS. |
| 03:43:40 | JOHNSON: I YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS. |
| 03:43:41 | I WANT TO MAKE A CORRECTION OF THE RECORD. |
| 03:43:43 | OVER AND OVER AGAIN YOU SAY WE DON'T HAVE A DEFINED BENEFIT. |
| 03:43:47 | WE HAVE A VERY CLEARLY DEFINED BENEFIT. |
| 03:43:50 | DO WE HAVE A DEFINED PREMIUM? |
| 03:43:51 | OF COURSE NOT. |
| 03:43:52 | THE PART B PREMIUM IS NOT DEFINED. |
| 03:43:54 | THAT'S A PERCENTAGE OF COSTS AND IT VARIES EVERY YEAR. |
| 03:43:58 | FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS DON'T DEFINE THE PREMIUM IN LAW IT VARIES EVERY YEAR -- YIELD MYSELF FIVE ADDITIONAL SECONDS. |
| 03:44:06 | IN OUR PLAN, WE DON'T WANT TO SET THE PREMIUM IN LAW, BECAUSE IF YOU CAN PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT PLAN, WE WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO PASS ON THAT SAVINGS THROUGH A LOWER PREMIUM TO SENIORS. |
| 03:44:16 | WE ARE PROUD OF OUR CORE BENEFIT. |
| 03:44:22 | I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. |
| 03:44:25 | PORTMAN. |
| 03:44:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:44:29 | MR. PORTMAN: I THANK THE CHAIRWOMAN. |
| 03:44:30 | I'M GLAD SHE WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE RECORD ON A FEW MISSTATEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THIS EVENING. |
| 03:44:34 | I WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT THE RECORD AGAIN. |
| 03:44:35 | MY FRIEND FROM PENNSYLVANIA JUST STOOD UP AND TALKED ABOUT MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE AND HOW THIS IS THE SAME. |
| 03:44:39 | IT'S NOT. |
| 03:44:40 | IN FACT, IN THIS BILL WE ARE HELPING TO MAKE MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE WORK. |
| 03:44:44 | JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE CHOKED OFF THE FUNDING TO MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE SO IT DOESN'T WORK FOR OUR SENIORS, INCLUDING A BUNCH OF MINE WHO WEREN'T GETTING THE RIGHT REIMBURSEMENT HAS NOTHING DO WITH THIS PLAN. |
| 03:44:54 | IT'S AN ENTIRELY PLAN. |
| 03:44:56 | IT DOES HELP MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE. |
| 03:44:58 | I HOPE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. |
| 03:44:59 | THIS IS GREAT PLAN. |
| 03:45:00 | THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR SENIORS NEED. |
| 03:45:02 | WOULD YOU NEVER DESIGN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM TODAY WITHOUT ADDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 03:45:06 | NOW, THE OTHER SIDE WANTS TO ADD $1 TRILLION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AFTER VOTING NOT TO RAISE THE DEBT LIMIT, THEY WANT TO ADD ANOTHER $1 TRILLION. |
| 03:45:14 | WE ARE DOING THIS WITHIN $350 BILLION, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE, WHICH IS UNLIKE WHAT MY FRIEND FROM WISCONSIN SAID EARLIER, A LOT DIFFERENT FROM TWO YEARS AGO. |
| 03:45:24 | IT'S MORE MONEY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SENIORS WITH THE COVERAGE THEY NEED. |
| 03:45:28 | C. |
| 03:45:29 | B.O. HAS SCORED THIS. |
| 03:45:30 | C.B.O. HAS SAID THIS WILL LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES MORE THAN ANY OTHER BILL THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED IN THIS HOUSE THAT'S BEEN SCORED BY C. |
| 03:45:36 | B.O. OUR BILLOWERS DRUG PRICES MORE. |
| 03:45:38 | THERE IS A DISCOUNT -- OUR BILL LOWERS DRUG PRICES MORE. |
| 03:45:43 | THERE IS A DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS. |
| 03:45:45 | FOR THE AVERAGE SENIOR THERE WILL BE A 44% IN THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST. |
| 03:45:49 | AVERAGE DRUG COST $2,150. |
| 03:45:51 | THEY ONLY PAY $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. |
| 03:45:57 | THERE IS ANOTHER SAVING FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS WHICH IS 44% OF SENIORS, THEY WILL PAY NO DEDUCTIBLE, THEY WILL PAY NO PERCENTAGE, 20% OR 50%. |
| 03:46:06 | THEY ONLY HAVE A NOMINAL CO-PAY. |
| 03:46:09 | THEY GET THIS FOR FREE. |
| 03:46:10 | THAT'S 44% OF THE SENIORS. |
| 03:46:12 | THE VERY PEOPLE HOT OTHER SIDE SAID TONIGHT REPEATEDLY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT. |
| 03:46:17 | THEY GET A TOTAL BENEFIT. |
| 03:46:19 | THIS IS PRECISELY THE KIND OF PLAN THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT IT'S EVEN BETTER THAN THE ONE FROM TWO YEARS AGO. |
| 03:46:28 | IT MEETS THE PRINCIPLES. |
| 03:46:29 | IT LOWERS THE COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND DOES THAT NOW. |
| 03:46:32 | IT GUARANTEES ALL SENIORS DRUG COVERAGE. |
| 03:46:34 | IT GIVES SENIORS MORE CHOICES, INCLUDING MEDICARE PLUS CHOICE. |
| 03:46:38 | IT'S A GOOD PLAN. |
| 03:46:39 | IT'S AFFORDABLE. |
| 03:46:40 | IT'S VOLUNTARY. |
| 03:46:41 | IT PRESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE. |
| 03:46:42 | I STRONGLY URGE ITS ADOPTION. |
| 03:46:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:46:47 | MR. |
| 03:46:48 | STARK: MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA, MR. |
| 03:46:54 | POMEROY, FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:46:55 | PENDING WHICH I WOULD POINT OUT TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES THAT THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MRS. |
| 03:47:01 | JOHNSON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. |
| 03:47:04 | SHAW, BOTH VOTED AGAINST PROTECTING LOW-INCOME SENIORS FROM HIGHER CO-PAYMENTS, AND THE GAPING GAP IN THE REPUBLICAN PLAN. |
| 03:47:13 | SO MUCH THEY KAY FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 03:47:15 | -- SO MUCH THEY CARE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 03:47:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:47:20 | MR. |
| 03:47:21 | POMEROY: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 03:47:22 | AT THE HEART OF WHAT THIS DEBATE IS ALL ABOUT IS A CLEAR CHOICE. |
| 03:47:25 | WHETHER WE SHOULD PROVIDE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT FOR SENIORS THROUGH THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, OR WHETHER WE SHOULD SEND MONEY TO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO INDUCE THEM TO PROVIDE A COVERAGE THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THEY DON'T WANT TO WRITE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS. |
| 03:47:46 | I USED TO BE AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER. |
| 03:47:49 | FOR EIGHT YEARS IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE SENIORS FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE STATE OFED IN IN THE. |
| 03:47:56 | -- IN IN THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 03:47:59 | THERE HASN'T -- IN THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA THERE. |
| 03:48:02 | HASN'T BEEN ANYBODY WHO HAS TALKED TO SENIORS MORE THAN ME. |
| 03:48:06 | AND WHAT I SEE FROM SENIORS ON THIS ISSUE IS CONSISTENT AND CLEAR. |
| 03:48:11 | THEY WANT MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 03:48:13 | NOT A SINGLE SENIOR HAS SAID TO ME, PLEASE, I WANT TO GO BUY ANOTHER INSURANCE POLICY. |
| 03:48:17 | PLEASE SEND ME MORE AGENTS. |
| 03:48:18 | I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. |
| 03:48:20 | PLEASE GIVE ME THAT FINE PRINT, IT'S FASCINATING, AND I WANT TO READ SOME MORE OF IT. |
| 03:48:26 | AND BY THE WAY, I WANT TO DEAL WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES BECAUSE I SO ENJOY WONDERING WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THAT CLAIM OR WHETHER THEY WON'T. |
| 03:48:35 | I SO ENJOY WONDERING WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE WHEN I NEED THEM OR WHETHER THEY'LL BE GONE AND OUT OF THE BUSINESS. |
| 03:48:43 | NO SENIOR HAS SAID THAT. |
| 03:48:44 | IT'S LUDICROUS ON ITS FACE. |
| 03:48:46 | THEY KNOW MEDICARE. |
| 03:48:48 | MEDICARE COVERS THEIR HOSPITAL BILLS. |
| 03:48:50 | MEDICARE COVERS THEIR DOCTOR BILLS. |
| 03:48:53 | MEDICARE HAS BEEN THE PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN SO VITAL TO PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF SENIORS IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE LAST NEARLY FOUR DECADES. |
| 03:49:02 | WE DON'T HAVE TO INVENT SOME NEW HOCUS-POCUS PRIVATE SECTOR KIBOSH I OWE -- GOSH I HOPE IT WORKS KIND OF DEAL. |
| 03:49:11 | WE HAVE MEDICARE AND THE SENIORS KNOW IT AND THEY LIKE IT. |
| 03:49:14 | THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED THAT PLAN TONIGHT, WHICH IS WHY WE WERE NOT ALLOWED OUR SUBSTITUTE TORQUES HAVE A MEDICARE DELIVERY OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT AS OPPOSED TO THE ALTERNATIVE THE MAJORITY ADVANCED. |
| 03:49:24 | NOBODY WANTS THE DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS MORE THAN THE MINORITY IN THIS BODY, YET WE'LL OPPOSE THIS VERSION BECAUSE IT WILL NOT WORK. |
| 03:49:31 | IT DOES NOT GET THE JOB DONE. |
| 03:49:32 | VOTE NO. |
| 03:49:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM ACCOUNT K MRS. |
| 03:49:40 | JOHNSON: I YIELD MYSELF 10 SECONDS. |
| 03:49:42 | UNDER MEDICARE WE HAVE PART A, WE HAVE PART B, WE HAVE PART C, AND THIS WILL BE PART D UNDER MEDICARE PROVIDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO SENIORS TO ANY PLAN SPONSOR. |
| 03:49:57 | AND PLAN SPONSORS MAY BE A GROUP OF ANY SORT. |
| 03:50:02 | PREFERABLY COMPANIES SKILLED AN EXPERIENCED IN MANAGING DRUG BENEFITS. |
| 03:50:06 | I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MR. |
| 03:50:08 | CAMP FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 03:50:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 03:50:13 | MR. CAMP: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:50:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:50:16 | MR. |
| 03:50:17 | CAM N: -- MR. CAMP: MR. SPEAKER, TODAY WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SENIORS IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT IN MEDICARE. |
| 03:50:23 | ON A DAILY BASIS, IT'S REPORTED THAT THE COSTS OF CUTTING-EDGE LIFESAVING MEDICINES HAVE SKYROCKETED, FORCING THOSE ON FIXED INCOMES TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES. |
| 03:50:34 | ONE CONSTITUENT IN MY DISTRICT HAD DRUG COSTS OF OVER $15,000 A YEAR, AND HE AND HIS -- FOR HE AND HIS WIFE, AND THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK WAS $21,000 A YEAR. |
| 03:50:44 | THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER HEARTBREAKING STORIES JUST LIKE THAT ONE. |
| 03:50:47 | THESE SENIORS HAVE WORKED HARD ALL THEIR LIVES TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES BURKS NOW THEY CAN BARELY MAKE -- BUT NOW THEY CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET. |
| 03:50:57 | WE CAN AGREE IF MEDICARE WERE STARTED TODAY IT WOULD CONTAIN A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BONE COMPONENT. |
| 03:51:02 | IN MICHIGAN ALONE THIS BILL WOULD BENEFIT OVER 1. |
| 03:51:05 | 2 MILLION SENIORS. |
| 03:51:06 | THIS PROPOSAL PROVIDES AFFORDABLE COVERAGE FOR EVERY SENIOR, WITHOUT GIMMICKS, WITHOUT SUNSETS, WITHOUT PIE IN THE SKY PROPOSALS THAT COST OVER $1 TRILLION. |
| 03:51:18 | REGRETTABLY, SOME HAVE SOUGHT TO POLITICIZE THIS ISSUE AND HOLD OUR SENIORS TO HOSTAGE IN A CRUEL GAME OF BRINKSMANSHIP. |
| 03:51:28 | WE MUST STRENGTHEN MEDICARE. |
| 03:51:29 | VOTE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 03:51:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:51:34 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 03:51:35 | SPEAKER, I'D YIELD MYSELF -- I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 03:51:40 | BECERRA, AND PENDING THAT I WOULD YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS TO POINT OUT THAT EVERY REPUBLICAN, INCLUDING THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MRS. |
| 03:51:52 | JOHNSON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. |
| 03:51:54 | SHAW, VOTED AGAINST ASSURING SENIORS THEY COULD GET THE DRUGS THAT THEIR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES, BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING IN THE REPUBLICAN BILL THAT GUARANTEES THE DRUGS A DOCTOR MIGHT PRESCRIBE. |
| 03:52:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:52:12 | MR. |
| 03:52:13 | BECERRA: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 03:52:15 | MR. SPEAKER, MY COLLEAGUES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE HAVE NEVER TRULY EMBRACED MEDICARE. |
| 03:52:20 | THEY OPPOSED IT IN 1965. |
| 03:52:22 | THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT LETTING IT DIE ON THE VINE. |
| 03:52:25 | THEY HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS A SOVIET-STYLE PROGRAM. |
| 03:52:28 | IN FACT, WHAT WE HAVE IN THIS BILL FROM MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS IS A BILL THAT MOVES US MUCH CLOSER TO PRIVATIZING MEDICARE ALTOGETHER. |
| 03:52:39 | TO PRIVATIZE MEDICARE IS TO IGNORE THE LESSONS OF THE ENRON SCANDAL AND THE PENSION ABUSE THAT OCCURRED AS A RESULT. |
| 03:52:48 | TO PRIVATIZE MEDICARE IS TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK TO THOSE BAD OLD DAYS BEFORE 1965 WHEN THE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR SENIORS WAS NOT GUARANTEED AND LEFT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. |
| 03:53:00 | UNDER THIS REPUBLICAN PLAN, A SENIOR WHO IS PAYING $250 A MONTH IN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND THAT'S A LOT OF OUR SENIORS, WOULD LOSE COVERAGE, TOTAL COVERAGE, UNDER THIS PLAN AFTER AUGUST. |
| 03:53:12 | SO THAT COME SEPTEMBER, COME OCTOBER, COME NOVEMBER, COME DECEMBER, THAT SENIOR WOULD HAVE TO, OUT OF HIS OR HER OWN POCKET, PAY FOR THE REMAINING COST OF ALL THOSE DRUGS. |
| 03:53:23 | UNDER THIS PLAN, A SENIOR WHO HAS $5,000 IN AN ANNUAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST, AND THERE ARE A LOT WHO DO, WOULD HAVE TO PAY $4,200 OUT OF POCKET OUT OF THAT $5,000 COST. |
| 03:53:36 | COMPARE THAT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN WHERE THE TOTAL COST FOR THAT SENIOR FOR THE $5,000 WOULD BE $1,38 0, A SAVINGS OF $2,800 BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN PLAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN. |
| 03:53:48 | THOSE ARE THE FACTS. |
| 03:53:49 | THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. |
| 03:53:50 | BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT OUR DEMOCRATIC PLAN OUT FOR A VOTE HERE. |
| 03:53:54 | TODAY AS WE SPEAK, SENIORS ARE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE, DO I BUY MY GROCERIES OR MY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS? |
| 03:54:02 | DO I PAY MY RENT OR BUY THE MEDICATION THAT I NEED? |
| 03:54:04 | WE SHOULD NOT MAKE THEM MAKE THAT CHOICE. |
| 03:54:07 | GIVE SENIORS WHAT THEY WANT. |
| 03:54:08 | THEY WANT AN AFFORDABLE AND GUARANTEED BENEFIT. |
| 03:54:11 | THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN DOES THAT. |
| 03:54:13 | THE REPUBLICAN PLAN DOES NOT. |
| 03:54:14 | LET'S DEFEAT THIS PLAN. |
| 03:54:16 | YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:54:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:54:21 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 03:54:23 | MRS. JOHNSON: IT IS CURIOUS THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA KEEPS CITING THE VOTES WE CAST AGAINST THE UNFUNDED AMENDMENTS ON THE OTHER SIDE WHEN HE IS ABOUT TO CAST A VOTE AGAINST FUNDING 43% OF THE SENIORS IN CALIFORNIA WITH EVERYTHING, DRUG COSTS, CO-PAYMENTS, DEDUCTIBLES, PREMIUMS, THE WHOLE BUSINESS, 43%, AND SAVING CALIFORNIA $5 BILLION UNDER MEDICAID, WITH WHICH, THEN, THEY CAN EXPAND DRUG BENEFITS FOR MANY OTHER FOLKS IN THEIR STATE. |
| 03:54:55 | TOO BAD. |
| 03:54:56 | I NOW WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. |
| 03:54:58 | ENGLISH FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 03:55:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR HOW MUCH TIME? |
| 03:55:03 | MRS. JOHNSON: TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:55:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:55:08 | MR. ENGLISH: MR. |
| 03:55:09 | SPEAKER, AS A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, I PARTICULARLY WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MRS. |
| 03:55:14 | JOHNSON WHO HAS BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF MANY BARBS, BUT THE FACT IS NO ONE HAS FOUGHT HARDER TO BRING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT TO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 03:55:23 | AND IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT, SHE PERHAPS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THIS BODY, WILL DESERVE SUBSTANTIAL CREDIT. |
| 03:55:28 | I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I REPRESENT A DISTRICT WHICH CONSISTS OF WORKING FAMILIES FOR WHOM THE DISTRANSACTIONS OF THIS DEBATE DON'T MEAN MUCH BUT WHO DESPERATELY NEED HELP ON THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 03:55:44 | THIS PROGRAM THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN THIS LANDMARK LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE THEM A FLEXIBLE AND AFFORDABLE BENEFIT, ONE THAT WOULD BE VOLUNTARY, A PROGRAM THAT WOULD GIVE THEM REAL CHOICES, ALLOWING THEM TO CUSTOMIZE THEIR BENEFITS. |
| 03:55:58 | IT WOULD PROVIDE A BENEFIT THAT WOULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL, MORE GENEROUS, IN FACT, THAN THE ONE THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION THAT FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ONCE EMBRACED. |
| 03:56:12 | THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT REPRESENTS A $350 BILLION INVESTMENT IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 03:56:20 | AND IT IS ONE THAT WOULD PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS TO SENIORS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR A PREMIUM OF ABOUT A DOLLAR A DAY, AND AT THE SAME TIME FOR THOSE SENIORS, INCLUDING MANY IN MY DISTRICT WHO CAN'T AFFORD THAT PREMIUM, IT WOULD PROVIDE FULL COVERAGE FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS. |
| 03:56:39 | AND WHAT IS PARTICULARLY STRIKING ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION IS THAT IT ESTABLISHES A FIRM CEILING, A LIMIT, CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, AN ULTIMATE LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR IN A GIVEN YEAR, A LIMIT OF $PP -- LIMIT OF $3,700. |
| 03:57:02 | THAT IS EXTRAORDINARILY GENEROUS AND IT POSITIONS PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE DRUGS WHEN THEY NEED IT. |
| 03:57:12 | THE 30% DISCOUNT THAT IS BUILT INTO THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MUCH MENTIONED. |
| 03:57:17 | LET ME SAY IT ALSO ALLOWS C. |
| 03:57:19 | M.S. TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE DRUG COMPANIES TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE DISCOUNT AND TO SHARPEN THEIR PENCILS. |
| 03:57:26 | THIS IS A GREAT PROGRAM, AND I HOPE THE HOUSE WILL PASS IT TONIGHT. |
| 03:57:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:57:32 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:57:33 | MR. |
| 03:57:36 | STARK: MR. |
| 03:57:37 | SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PRIVILEGED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS, MR. |
| 03:57:43 | MIKE ROSS, FOR TWO MINUTES, WHO UNDERSTANDS WHY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHAIN DRUGSTORES AND THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION AND OTHER PHARMACY GROUPS HAVE SAID THEY CONSIDER A VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN BILL TO BE A VOTE AGAINST THE PROFESSION OF PHARMACISTS, AND PENDING THAT I WOULD RECOGNIZE THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA FOR 15 SECONDS. |
| 03:58:07 | MRS. THURMAN: WE KEEP HEARING THIS 30%. |
| 03:58:08 | THERE HAS BEEN A LETTER DATED BY THE C. |
| 03:58:11 | B.O. ON JULY 26 THAT SAYS THAT THEY'RE CONFUSED, THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE 30% COST MANAGEMENT FACTOR THAT C. |
| 03:58:22 | B.O. APPLIED IN THE ANALYZING OF H. |
| 03:58:25 | R. 4954. IT GOES ON TO SAY THE SAVINGS ARE STATED AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL SPENDING AND DO NOT REPRESENT A PER PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT. |
| 03:58:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:58:38 | MR. ROSS: THANK YOU. AND I DO RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL. |
| 03:58:41 | A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS IN GLENWOOD, ARKANSAS, A SMALL TOWN IN MY DISTRICT, AND RAN INTO AN ELDERLY WOMAN WHO IS A RETIRED PHARMACIST WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE A RELIEF PHARMACIST IN MY HOMETOWN WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD GROWING UP. |
| 03:58:54 | AND SHE TOLD ME THE STORY ABOUT HOW WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND SHE WAS A PHARMACIST, IF SHE HAD A PRESCRIPTION THAT COST OVER $5, SHE WOULD GO ON AND FILL THE NEXT ONE WHILE SHE BUILT UP ENOUGH CONFIDENCE TO LET THE PATIENT KNOW IT WAS GOING TO COST $5. |
| 03:59:09 | I THINK THAT REALLY DEMONSTRATES MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF THAT TODAY'S MEDICARE, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WAS REALLY DESIGNED FOR YESTERDAY'S MEDICAL CARE. |
| 03:59:20 | HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES, WHICH ARE VERY GREEDY, IN MY OPINION, MAKE HUGE PROFITS, AND EVEN THEY COVER THE COST OF MEDICINE. |
| 03:59:29 | WHY? BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT HELPS PATIENTS TO GET WELL AND LIVE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. |
| 03:59:35 | AS A SMALL TOWN FAMILY PHARMACY OWNER, I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING SENIORS LEAVE THE DOORS OF OUR PHARMACY WITHOUT THEIR MEDICINE. |
| 03:59:44 | AND LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN, I LEARN A WEEK OR 10 DAYS LATER THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AND RUNNING UP A $10,000 MEDICARE BILL SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THEIR MEDICINE OR AFFORD TO TAKE A PROPERLY. |
| 03:59:56 | I CAME TO CONGRESS TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. |
| 03:59:59 | THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE. |
| 04:00:01 | I WROTE A BIPARTISAN BILL ALONGSIDE CONGRESSMAN JO ANN EMERSON, A REPUBLICAN FROM MISSOURI, AND THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP WOULD NOT GIVE US A HEARING ON OUR BILL. |
| 04:00:11 | THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US A VOTE ON OUR BILL. |
| 04:00:14 | NOW, LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS BEFORE, YES, ANOTHER ELECTION, THEY'RE COMING TO US WITH THIS PLAN, THIS SO-CALLED MEDICARE PLAN WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MEDICARE OTHER THAN ATTEMPTING TO PRIVATIZE IT, WRITTEN BY THE DRUG MANUFACTURERS FOR THE DRUG MANUFACTURERS. |
| 04:00:32 | AND I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD A LOT FROM BOTH SIDES TONIGHT. |
| 04:00:35 | VERY FEW SENIORS ARE STILL AWAKE LISTENING BECAUSE IT IS MIDNIGHT. |
| 04:00:38 | THAT'S THE REASON THEY'RE BRINGING IT UP NOW. |
| 04:00:40 | BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS, DON'T LISTEN TO THEM AND DON'T LISTEN TO US. |
| 04:00:44 | YOU GO TO YOUR FAMILY PHARMACIST AND YOU ASK THEM WHICH PLAN IS RIGHT FOR AMERICA. |
| 04:00:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 04:00:53 | MRS. |
| 04:00:54 | JOHNSON: I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:00:57 | MR. |
| 04:00:58 | THOMAS: IT IS MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, MR. |
| 04:01:02 | THUNE. |
| 04:01:03 | MR. THUNE: I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN AND KNOW HE HAS WORKED HARD, ALONG WITH THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, TO FASHION A BILL THAT ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS. |
| 04:01:13 | WE HAVE SENIORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA WHO NEED PRESCRIPTION DRUG RELIEF AND WE HAVE RURAL PROVIDERS WHO NEED RELIEF. |
| 04:01:18 | I ALSO SHARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THE GENTLEMAN JUST VOICED ABOUT THE PHARMACIST. |
| 04:01:23 | AND I WOULD INQUIRE OF THE CHAIRMAN AS THIS PROCESS MOVES FORWARD WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH ME TO PROVIDE ASSURANCE TO PHARMACISTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN RURAL AREAS, THEIR CONCERNS WOULD BE ADDRESSED. |
| 04:01:34 | MR. THOMAS: I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN'S CONCERN. |
| 04:01:36 | WE HAVE MOVED IN THAT DIRECTION. |
| 04:01:38 | I ASSURE YOU AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN CONFERENCE WE'LL ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF PHARMACISTS. |
| 04:01:42 | MR. |
| 04:01:43 | THUNE: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 04:01:47 | MRS. JOHNSON: I YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS. |
| 04:01:49 | I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA THAT WHILE ON PAGE 18 OF THE OTHER PARTY'S BILL, THEY SAY THEY REQUIRE ANY WILLING PROVIDER. |
| 04:02:01 | ON PAGE 8 OF THE OTHER PARTY'S BILL, THEY SAY THERE HAVE TO BE PHARMACY NETWORKS AND THEY CAN DETERMINE COST SHARING FOR BENEFICIARIES OUTSIDE THE NETWORK. |
| 04:02:12 | SO THEIR BILL DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY WILLING PROVIDERS AND OURS AT A LATER TIME PROVIDE AS LOT OF RECOGNITION TO THE PHARMACISTS. |
| 04:02:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:02:23 | MRS. JOHNSON: I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. |
| 04:02:24 | HAYWORTH OF ARIZONA. |
| 04:02:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 04:02:28 | MR. |
| 04:02:29 | HAYWORTH: I THANK THE SPEAKER AND I THANK MY FRIEND FROM CONNECTICUT WHO HAS WORKED SO HARD ON THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 04:02:34 | AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CITIZENS OF MY HOME STATE OF ARIZONA, THE SENIORS THERE WHO ARE STILL AWAKE AT WHAT IS 20 UNTIL 9:00, PRIME TIME IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 04:02:52 | DESPITE THE WAILING AND NASHING -- GNASHING OF PROCESS, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THE RESULTS. |
| 04:03:00 | HERE ARE THE SIMPLE FACTS -- UNDER OUR PLAN, PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER MEDICARE IS AVAILABLE TO EVERY SENIOR WHO WANTS IT. |
| 04:03:13 | EVERY SENIOR WHO WANTS THIS PLAN WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE. |
| 04:03:17 | WE WILL LEAVE NO SENIOR BEHIND. |
| 04:03:23 | THAT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IF YOU LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST HELP. |
| 04:03:29 | 44% OF THE SENIORS NATIONWIDE BELOW 175% OF POVERTY, THEIR BENEFITS ARE PAID FOR. |
| 04:03:40 | OVER $40 BILLION OF SAVINGS FOR MEDICAID. |
| 04:03:46 | REAL MONEY FOR REAL PEOPLE WITH A REAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. |
| 04:03:49 | AND THIS IS THE MOST COMPELLING ARGUMENT, MR. |
| 04:03:52 | SPEAKER, WHEN YOU CUT THROUGH ALL THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS AND ALL THE RHETORIC, WHAT SENIORS WANT, WHAT I HEARD AT THE MESA SENIOR CENTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IS THAT SENIORS WANT PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAVINGS NOW. |
| 04:04:06 | WHEN WE PASS THIS, WHEN THE OTHER BODY TAKES ITS ACTION, OUR PLAN BEGINS COVERING SENIORS AND LOWERING COSTS AS SOON AS 50 DAYS AFTER THE PRESIDENT SIGNS THE BILL INTO LAW. |
| 04:04:22 | MR. SPEAKER, MY COLLEAGUES, THE TIME IS NOW TO ACT. |
| 04:04:25 | IF THIS CAN BE MOVED -- IF THIS BILL CAN BECOME LAW, SENIORS CAN START REALIZING SAVINGS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. |
| 04:04:33 | THE PERFECT PRESENT TO GIVE OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS. |
| 04:04:40 | SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 04:04:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:04:49 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:04:51 | MR. STARK: MR. |
| 04:04:52 | SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM INDIANA, MS. |
| 04:04:58 | CARSON, AND PENDING THAT I WOULD YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS TO REMIND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA THAT HE SHOULD TELL THE SENIORS IN MESA THAT HE'S LINED HIS OWN POCKETS WITH A BENEFIT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WHICH IS 50% MORE GENEROUS THAN WHAT HE'S WILLING TO GIVE THE SENIORS IN HIS HOME STATE, AND THAT HE AND MRS. |
| 04:05:18 | JOHNSON FROM CONNECTICUT AND MR. |
| 04:05:20 | SHAW FROM FLORIDA VOTED TO ELIMINATE COST SHARING AND VOTED -- I WOULD YIELD MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 10 SECONDS. |
| 04:05:26 | THEY VOTED AGAINST ELIMINATING COST SHARING FOR PREVENTATIVE BENEFITS FOR SENIORS. |
| 04:05:33 | THAT AGAIN SHOWS YOU HOW MUCH THEY CARE FOR THE SENIORS IN HARTFORD OR IN FLORIDA OR IN ARIZONA. |
| 04:05:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:05:47 | MRS. CLAYTON: THERE IS AN OLD ADAGE THAT SAYS THOSE WHO PAY THE PIPER NAME THE TUNE. |
| 04:05:51 | AND WE ARE HEAR TONIGHT -- HERE TONIGHT ON A TUNE THAT WAS WRITTEN BY A $30 MILLION PLUS DINNER A FEW NIGHTS AGO. |
| 04:06:01 | AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE SENIOR CITIZENS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO EVEN WIN DOOR PRIZES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AT THAT EVENT. |
| 04:06:10 | AND ISN'T IT INCREDIBLE HOW $30 MILLION WOULD HAVE UNDERGIRDED THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, SENIORS WHO NEEDED THEM, ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. |
| 04:06:22 | THOSE THAT PAY THE PIPER NAME THE TUNE. |
| 04:06:25 | WHEN THE NONPARTISAN RESEARCH SERVICE DID A COMPARISON OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT UNDER THE BLUE CROSS-BLUE SHIELD OPTION AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES TO THE REPUBLICAN PLAN, THEY FOUND THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WOULD GIVE ABOUT 40% OF THE COVERAGE OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WOULD RECEIVE, BUT THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN WOULD GIVE COMPARABLE COVERAGE. |
| 04:06:48 | BUT THOSE THAT PAY THE PIPER NAME THE TUNE AND OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOW BEGUN TO GET -- AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS STILL SUFFER WITH A HEADACHE OR HEARTACHE FROM THIS INCREDIBLE SCAM THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE OFFERED. |
| 04:07:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:07:07 | -- THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:07:09 | THE CHAIR WOULD INFORM THE HOUSE THAT THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT HAS EIGHT MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 04:07:13 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS 7 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 04:07:15 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 04:07:16 | MRS. |
| 04:07:17 | JOHNSON: I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. |
| 04:07:19 | WELLER. |
| 04:07:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: HOW MUCH TIME? |
| 04:07:21 | MRS. JOHNSON: TWO MINUTES. |
| 04:07:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 04:07:25 | WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. |
| 04:07:26 | WELLER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:07:27 | SPEAKER. |
| 04:07:28 | LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE, I'M PROUD TO SAY TONIGHT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER MEDICARE FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 04:07:37 | TONIGHT WE ARE SEEING AN EXAMPLE OF TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF DEBATE. |
| 04:07:41 | SOME PEOPLE WANT TO OFFER PARTISAN RHETORIC FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, OTHERS WANT TO OFFER POLICY. |
| 04:07:50 | WHICH POLICY WHICH GIVES A SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE. |
| 04:07:55 | BOTTOM LINE IS WE WANT TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR OUR SENIORS. |
| 04:07:59 | IT WAS QUOTED EARLIER THIS YEAR ONE OF THE ADVISORS TO THE DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP SAID, ONE OF THE BIGGEST WORRIES THAT OUR POLICY PEOPLE HAD WAS THAT THEY'D ACTUALLY WRITE A GOOD BILL. |
| 04:08:10 | QUOTING A TOP DEMOCRATIC ADVISOR. |
| 04:08:14 | WE HAVE A GOOD BILL BEFORE US. |
| 04:08:15 | A BILL THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR MEDICARE BY $350 BILLION. |
| 04:08:21 | PROVIDES PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER MEDICARE. |
| 04:08:24 | LOWERS THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NOW. |
| 04:08:29 | GUARANTEES ALL SENIOR CITIZENS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE. |
| 04:08:31 | IMPROVES MEDICARE WITH MORE CHOICES AND MORE SAVINGS. |
| 04:08:34 | AND STRENGTHENS MEDICARE FOR THE FUTURE. |
| 04:08:37 | THE QUESTION IS, WHAT'S THAT MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE SENIOR CITIZEN? |
| 04:08:41 | THE BOTTOM LINE IS, UNDER THE PLAN THAT MRS. |
| 04:08:44 | JOHNSON IS MANAGING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS REAL MONEY. |
| 04:08:51 | THE OVERALL OUT-OF-POCKET DRUG COSTS WOULD FALL BY AS MUCH AS 70% ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WITH THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY. |
| 04:09:02 | ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY RELEASED THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN WOULD PROVIDE REAL RELIEF FOR SENIORS AND DISABLED AMERICANS, THOSE WHO NOW PAY FULL RETAIL PRICES WOULD TYPICALLY SEE THE COST OF EACH PRESCRIPTION CUT BY 0% TO 85%. |
| 04:09:18 | THEIR OVERALL OUT-OF-POCKET DRUG COSTS WOULD FALL AS MUCH AS 70%, ALL IN EXCHANGE FOR AN AFFORDABLE PREMIUM OF $34 A MONTH. |
| 04:09:27 | IT'S PROJECTED THAT THE AVERAGE SENIOR WOULD SAVE ABOUT $940 A YEAR AS A RESULT OF THIS PLAN. |
| 04:09:34 | WE HAVE A PLAN THAT TAKES $18 BILLION OUT OF THE POCKETS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND SAVES THE AVERAGE SENIOR $940. |
| 04:09:42 | IT DESERVES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. |
| 04:09:44 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:09:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:09:48 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:09:51 | MR. |
| 04:09:55 | STARK: MR. |
| 04:09:56 | SPEAKER, FIND MYSELF SO SPEECHLESS THAT ALL CAN I DO IS RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:10:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:10:06 | MR. DOGGETT: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN. |
| 04:10:08 | THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROPOSALS THAT IS PERHAPS BEST CONSIDERED VERY LATE IN THE EVENING WHEN THE COVER OF DARKNESS CAN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE SHAME OF THE PROPOSAL. |
| 04:10:19 | THIS BILL IS ABOUT CREATING THE APPEARANCE OF DOING SOMETHING WHEN IT DOES NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF OUR SENIORS. |
| 04:10:29 | WHEN YOU GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT, DESPITE THE CHARTS, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NO PLAN. |
| 04:10:33 | ALL THEY OFFER IS A PLACEBO BASED ON PRIVATIZATION. |
| 04:10:38 | I SUPPOSE COULD YOU CALL IT A SWISS CHEESE PLAN, BUT SENIORS GET ALL THE HOLES AND NO CHEESE. |
| 04:10:45 | THERE IS NO GUARANTEED DEDUCTIBLE. |
| 04:10:48 | THERE IS NO PREMIUM. |
| 04:10:49 | THERE IS NO GUARANTEED BENEFIT. |
| 04:10:52 | AND THERE IS NO INSURANCE COMPANY THAT'S EVER OFFERED A PLAN OF THIS TYPE, AND MOST HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PLAN OF THIS TYPE. |
| 04:10:59 | IT ALL CENTERS ON THE REPUBLICAN IDEOLOGICAL INSISTENCE THAT WE MUST PRIVATIZE MEDICARE. |
| 04:11:07 | THAT'S NOT A PRESCRIPTION FOR REFORM, IT'S A PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER. |
| 04:11:11 | THIS VERY DAY ONE OF THEIR TOP LEADERS CALLED THE PLAN THAT LINDA JOHNSON -- LYNDON JOHNSON SIGNED INTO LAW. |
| 04:11:22 | THE PLAN LYNDON JOHNSON SIGNED INTO LAW AND UPON WHICH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE RELIED HAD THE AUDACITY TO CALL IT A SOVIET-STYLE PLAN. |
| 04:11:31 | THEY DIDN'T LIKE MEDICARE THEN. |
| 04:11:33 | THEY HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED IT. |
| 04:11:34 | AND THEY ARE DETERMINED TO USE THIS DEVICE TO PRIVATIZE IT. |
| 04:11:40 | FURTHER, WE FIND IN THE FINE PRINT OF THE PLAN IN THE PARAGRAPH CALLED NONINTERFERENCE A SPECIFIC COMMAND THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS PROGRAM CANNOT ACT TO REDUCE COST. |
| 04:11:52 | THIS FIGURE OF $18 BILLION HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE AIR BY A REPUBLICAN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR. |
| 04:11:59 | IT HAS NO BASIS IN FACT. |
| 04:12:02 | RATHER, WITH THIS BILL THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS ONCE AGAIN PLEDGED ITS ALLEGIANCE TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS WHOSE PRICE GOUGING FORCES OUR SENIORS TO PAY THE HIGHEST PRICES OF ANYONE IN THE WORLD. |
| 04:12:16 | LITTLE WONDER THAT THOSE SAME MANUFACTURERS ARE THIS VERY NIGHT CONTINUING TO PAY FOR ADS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TELLING PEOPLE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTNERS ARE GREAT PEOPLE FOR OBSTRUCTING THE HELP THAT OUR SENIORS SO DESPERATELY NEED. |
| 04:12:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 04:12:36 | MRS. JOHNSON: I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. |
| 04:12:38 | BRADY OF TEXAS FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:12:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:12:43 | MR. BRADY: THIS IS IMPORTANT -- THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NIGHT FOR MY SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY. |
| 04:12:47 | I'M PROUD THE HOUSE IS STANDING UP FOR SENIORS WHO DESPERATELY NEED AN AFFORD ARBLINGS PERMANENT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN UNDER MEDICARE, AND WHO NEED IT RIGHT NOW. |
| 04:12:55 | IN FACT THEY NEED IT YESTERDAY. |
| 04:12:57 | THE HOUSE PLAN GIVES AMERICA'S SENIORS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION PLAN THAT'S BEST FOR THEM. |
| 04:13:03 | WITH CATASTROPHIC PROTECTION FOR THE VERY COSTLY ILLNESSES, EXTRA HELP FOR THE POOR WHO NEED IT THE MOST, AND LOWER DRUG PRICES FOR ALL SENIORS USING GROUP BUYING POWER, SO DRUG COMPANIES WILL COMPETE FOR OUR BUSINESS AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. |
| 04:13:18 | THAT MEANS FOR NEARLY HALF OF TEXAS SENIORS IN MEDICARE, THEY'LL RECEIVE I TO $2,000 OF ESSENTIALLY FREE MEDICINE EACH YEAR THEY NEED IT. |
| 04:13:27 | THAT'S REAL HELP. |
| 04:13:28 | THANKFULLY TONIGHT WE ARE REJECTING THE ALTERNATIVES. |
| 04:13:32 | ALLURING BUT IRRESPONSIBLE SCHEMES THAT ARE SIMPLY TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. |
| 04:13:37 | SEEMS THAT WOULD BANKRUPT MEDICARE WITHIN 10 YEARS, AND LEAVE OUR VULNERABLE SENIORS TO FACE GRIM CHOICES. |
| 04:13:44 | I SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN PLAN, AND MY SENIORS DO OOSE WELL. |
| 04:13:48 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:13:49 | -- MY SENIORS DO AS WELL. |
| 04:13:50 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:13:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:13:54 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:13:55 | MR. |
| 04:13:56 | STARK: MR. |
| 04:13:57 | SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 04:14:01 | BACA, FOR A MINUTE, WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT THE AARP OPPOSES THE REPUBLICAN DRUG BILL IN ITS PRESENT FORM AND SAYS IT NEEDS VAST IMPROVEMENT BEFORE THEIR MEMBERS COULD SUPPORT IT. |
| 04:14:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:14:15 | MR. BACA: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:14:16 | SPEAKER. I STAND IN OPPOSITION FOR THIS SHAMEFUL DECOY THAT CREATES THE ILLUSION THAT IT COVERS ALL SENIORS. |
| 04:14:24 | WE KNOW THAT IT DOES NOT COVER ALL SENIORS. |
| 04:14:27 | IT ONLY COVERS YOU AS LONG AS IT ONLY REACHES A CERTAIN LIMIT. |
| 04:14:33 | WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL SENIORS ARE GUARANTEED COVERAGE. |
| 04:14:38 | MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE KIND OF SERVICE THAT IS THEY NEED. |
| 04:14:42 | CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T EVEN BUY OR PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND THEY HAVE TO DECIDE BETWEEN BUYING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR NOT. |
| 04:14:50 | THIS IS TYPICAL LIKE AN INSURANCE PLAN IN CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:14:53 | TELLING YOU THAT YOU HAVE THE COVERAGE WHEN, IN FACT, YOU HAVE THE COVERAGE AS LONG AS YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. |
| 04:14:59 | THE MINUTE THAT YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT, YOUR PREMIUMS GO UP, AND YOU LOSE THE COVERAGE. |
| 04:15:04 | AND THEY ARE AFRAID, THEY ARE AFRAID TO FILE A CLAIM. |
| 04:15:08 | THIS IS THE SAME SITUATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE HERE. |
| 04:15:10 | WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SENIORS THAT ARE AFRAID TO BUY DRUG PRESCRIPTIONS, BECAUSE WHY? |
| 04:15:17 | THEIR COVERAGE WILL GO UP. |
| 04:15:20 | THEY'LL CONTINUE TO GO TO TIJUANA AND BUY IT CHEAPER BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE COVERAGE. |
| 04:15:25 | THIS IS SHAMEFUL AND A DECOY. |
| 04:15:26 | WE SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS PLAN. |
| 04:15:28 | WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN THAT COVERS ALL SENIORS AN ALL INDIVIDUALS. |
| 04:15:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:15:34 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 04:15:36 | MRS. JOHNSON: I'M GOING TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MR. |
| 04:15:38 | BRADY, BUT IN THE COURSE OF DOING THAT, -- MR. |
| 04:15:43 | RYAN. IN THE COURSE OF DOING THAT I WANT TO MENTION THAT C. |
| 04:15:46 | B.O. IN THEIR LETTER TO US CLAIM -- MADE CLEAR THAT EXEMPTING MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS FROM MEDICAID'S BEST PRICE DRIVES DOWN DRUG PRICES $18 BILLION FOR OUR SENIORS, AND THAT'S C. |
| 04:16:01 | B.O. >> WILL THE GENTLELADY YIELD? |
| 04:16:03 | MRS. |
| 04:16:04 | JOHNSON: I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN MR. |
| 04:16:07 | RYAN. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:16:11 | MR. RYAN: I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO PUT ONE THING STRAIGHT. |
| 04:16:13 | THE AARP DOES NOT OPPOSE THIS BILL, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO ARE TRULY LISTENING TO THIS DEBATE AND TRYING TO MAKE UP THEIR MINDS, LET ME POINT OUT THREE DISTINCT DIFFERENCES. |
| 04:16:24 | THE DEMOCRAT BILL WILL HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE OF PUSHING OUT PRIVATE SECTOR PROVIDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE. |
| 04:16:30 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL SPLEMENTS THAT. |
| 04:16:32 | WHAT THE DEMOCRAT -- SUPPLEMENTS THAT. |
| 04:16:34 | WHAT THE DEMOCRAT BILL WILL DO IS HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE OF MAKING SURE ALL THOSE EMPLOYERS PROVIDING PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES DON'T DO SO ANYMORE, SO THE GOVERNMENT WILL PICK IT UP. |
| 04:16:49 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL INCLUDES DEEPER DISCOUNTS ON THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAN THE DEMOCRAT BILL DOES. |
| 04:16:55 | THE DEMOCRAT BILL IS A $1 TRILLION PLUS DOLL LOOR BILL THAT WILL DO NOTHING MORE THAN MAKE MEDICARE GO BROKE FASTER. |
| 04:17:05 | WE HAVE A PROBLEM. |
| 04:17:06 | WE HAVE TWO PROBLEMS. |
| 04:17:07 | WE NEED PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR OUR SENIORS. |
| 04:17:10 | WE NEED TO GIVE THEM ACCESS TO DISCOUNTS, DEEP DISCOUNTS ON THEIR PRICE OF DRUGS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE MEDICARE SOLVENT FOR THE BABY BOOMER GENERATION. |
| 04:17:20 | THE DEMOCRAT BAIL FAILS ON THAT AREA -- THE DEMOCRAT BILL FAILS ON THAT IREA -- AREA. |
| 04:17:27 | THE REPUBLICAN BILL DELIVERS. |
| 04:17:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:17:36 | MR. |
| 04:17:37 | STARK: MR. |
| 04:17:41 | SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. |
| 04:17:46 | CLEMENT, A MINUTE, PENDING WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 15 SECONDS TO APOLOGIZE TO THE REPUBLICANS AND QUOTE THE ACTUAL WORDS I MISSPOKE. |
| 04:17:52 | THE AARP DOES NOT OPPOSE THEIR BILL, THEY JUST SAY THAT IT REQUIRES IMPROVEMENTS BEFORE OUR MEMBERS WOULD SUPPORT THEIR BILL. |
| 04:18:01 | AND I WANT THAT RECORD TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT WHILE THEY DON'T OPPOSE IT, THEY SURE DON'T SUPPORT IT. |
| 04:18:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE GENTLEMAN -- MR. |
| 04:18:12 | STARK: I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 04:18:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:18:17 | MR. |
| 04:18:18 | CLEMENT: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 04:18:20 | I COULD NOT SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN BILL BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE FAIRNESS. |
| 04:18:24 | AND IT DOESN'T OFFER FAIRNESS. |
| 04:18:26 | I JUST COMPLETED A SURVEY IN MY HOME STATE OF TENNESSEE, AND THE FACT IS THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE TWICE WHAT THEY ARE IN CANADA AND EUROPE AND ASIA. |
| 04:18:39 | THAT'S NOT TRUE IN TENNESSEE, IT'S TRUE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:18:42 | THERE ARE A LOFT THINGS WE COULD DO. |
| 04:18:44 | WE COULD -- WITH THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, COULD REIMPORT THOSE DRUGS FROM CANADA RIGHT NOW AND WE WOULD GET A BREAK. |
| 04:18:50 | WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE OBJECT THE BOARD -- ON THE BORDER THAT COULD GO ACROSS THE BORDER AND GET PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, 90-DAY SUPPLY. |
| 04:18:58 | THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO THAT ARE NOT BEING DONE. |
| 04:19:02 | I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THE UNITED STATES SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE A VERY GOOD PLAN AND WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT THE SENATE DEMOCRAT PLAN, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET ANY JUSTICE HERE. |
| 04:19:12 | AND I SUGGEST TO EVERYONE, VOTE NO. |
| 04:19:15 | BECAUSE THE FACT IS WE ARE SUBSIDIZING OTHER COUNTRIES, WE'VE GOT PRICE GOUGING GOING ON BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AT PRESENT. |
| 04:19:26 | WE NEED TO GIVE RELIEF NOW AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SHOULD BE PART OF THE MEDICARE PACK ANG. |
| 04:19:32 | -- PACKAGE. |
| 04:19:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 04:19:36 | MRS. JOHN SCON: I WOULD LIKE TO -- MRS. |
| 04:19:39 | JOHNSON: I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. |
| 04:19:42 | VIRT FOR ONE MINUTE. MR. |
| 04:19:43 | VITTER: I RISE IN PROUD SUPPORT OF THIS REPUBLICAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN. |
| 04:19:48 | THIS IS CRITICAL FOR SENIORS TODAY AND NO SENIORS SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND PAYING FOR FOOD OR RENT. |
| 04:19:55 | SO WE ARE ACTING AND WE ARE PRODUCING A PLAN AND WE ARE PASSING A PLAN. |
| 04:20:00 | GIVE SENIORS CHOICE. |
| 04:20:02 | THEY CAN CHOOSE THE PLAN THAT WORKS BEST FOR THEIR NEEDS. |
| 04:20:05 | IT REDUCES THEIR OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, GIVES THEM A LIFETIME BENEFIT, AND THE PLAN IS VOLUNTARY. |
| 04:20:13 | SO IF SENIORS HAVE A PLAN ALREADY, THAT THEY ARE HAPPY WITH, THEY CAN STAY WITH. |
| 04:20:20 | BUT FOR THOSE WITHOUT COVERAGE, THIS BILL WILL HELP THEM GET THAT COVERAGE AND COVER THOSE ESCALATING COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 04:20:29 | SENIORS DESERVE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT NOT JUST TALK, NOT JUST DEBATE. |
| 04:20:34 | AND THEY DESERVE IT TODAY. |
| 04:20:35 | AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE GOING TO ACT TODAY. |
| 04:20:38 | NOT TALKS NOT DEBATE, BUT ACT, ACT RESPONSIBLY, AND ACT WITHIN A BUDGET THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN OVER TIME. |
| 04:20:46 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:20:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:20:50 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CONTRACT. |
| 04:20:51 | -- THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:20:52 | MR. |
| 04:20:53 | STARK: MR. SPEAKER, I'M HONORED TO YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME TO THE DISTINGUISHED LADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. |
| 04:21:02 | PELOSI, PENDING WHICH I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND ALL THE SENIORS IN THE COUNTRY TO |
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