Bush: 'Time is now' for Medicare bill .... Democrats balk

[cthrumatrix]

Bush: 'Time is now' for Medicare bill
Democrats balk at emerging drug benefit compromise
By William L. Watts, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 5:09 PM ET Nov. 13, 2003


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Congressional Democrats sharply criticized an emerging House-Senate Medicare compromise crafted largely by Republicans, further clouding prospects Thursday for adding a $400 billion drug benefit to the popular entitlement program.

"The proposals that have been recommended by the leadership in the House and the Republican leadership would effectively undermine the Medicare system which our seniors depend on. And that is unacceptable. That is unacceptable," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Republicans contend they've given significant ground in efforts to craft a compromise that would clear both the House and Senate by scaling back a House-passed provision, known as "premium support," that would have required Medicare to face direct competition from private health plans in 2010.

President Bush and top administration officials engaged in a multi-pronged public-relations blitz designed to pressure lawmakers to finish work on the bill, which could carry big stakes heading into next year's elections.

"We've debated long enough. The time is now for action," Bush said in a speech in Orlando, Fla.

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Most congressional Democrats have objected to premium support proposals, arguing that the measures would result in the de facto privatization of the Medicare system. The healthiest seniors would be siphoned off to private plans while remaining seniors would face higher premiums as part of the traditional Medicare program.

"We are always hoping that a better idea will prevail. But from what we have seen in the press, I think there are very serious concerns, and I would encourage Democrats not to be accomplices to this cruel hoax on America's seniors that will unravel Medicare, which is the point, after all, for the Republicans," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

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http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/print_story.asp?print=1&guid={6AC3F255-BF84-41BB-B44A-44F8609F94D3}&siteid=mktw

[denverbill]

1. What a pathetic joke.

Republicans always accuse Democrats of using scare tactics on seniors. If so, it's only because we point out what they actually want to do.

If Republicans had their way, Medicare will be gone in 2012, replaced by 2-3 enormously expensive private plans, which change doctors every year, benefits every year, and where premiums can skyrocket from one year to the next, and which really skyrocket if you actually get sick.

Privatizing Medicare is the dumbest idea Republicans have had all year, and they've had some doozies. Only a moron would think privatizing Medicare will result in better healthcare for seniors at a lower cost. Then again, Republicans don't care about better care - only lower cost. If some poor old man has to live in the streets to afford his medical treatment, then live in the streets he shall.

[MaineDem]

2. Keep at them, Ted!

Don't let them rape Medicare.

[loudnclear]

3. You bet it's time for a Medicare bill; the Iraqi war is going badly

So now, after his huge tax cuts have bled the country into bankruptcy, it's time to talk about Medicare.