Dems Say Medicare Plan Would Up Premiums

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3387089,00.html

Dems Say Medicare Plan Would Up Premiums

Friday November 14, 2003 2:01 PM
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican congressional leaders are hearing it from both sides: Their emerging Medicare drug legislation threatens to undermine Medicare. Or it doesn't go far enough in changing the government-run health care program for the elderly and disabled.
They're betting it's just the right blend to attract a majority in the House and Senate.

But even as two major hospital groups (American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals) endorsed the plan and President Bush called for the legislation soon, a growing chorus of Senate Democrats criticized the bill Thursday. <snip>

Seven Republican senators, led by Olympia Snowe of Maine, joined 30 Democrats and an independent in signing a letter (supported by the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Families USA and the Alliance for Retired Americans )that urged the removal of the competition provision.

More exasperating, from the GOP leaders' perspective, was the complaint by Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., the lead House negotiator, that the plan did not go far enough. ``It's guaranteed not to work,'' he said of the plan, while one of its authors, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., stood by his side. <snip>

GOP officials said they expected to gain the approval of the politically influential AARP, although the group's chief executive suggested the plan for direct competition in four metropolitan areas and one region be scaled down. "That sounds big," William D. Novelli said in an interview, adding the issue was "an example of what others should negotiate." <snip>