John Ensign: “our plan is affordable to seniors as well as to taxpayers in future generations. Our plan keeps senior citizens involved…”

“our plan is affordable to seniors as well as to taxpayers in future generations. Our plan keeps senior citizens involved in the choices they are making because they will pay the first dollar out of pocket. They have the prescription drug discount card so they will save 25 to 40 percent on the drugs they purchase; but they will pay the first dollar out of pocket so it keeps them involved in the choices they are making and helps the market work and keeps downward pressure on prices. It also works well with State plans. My State of Nevada used some of its tobacco money to cover senior citizens below $21,500 in income. Our plan fits in well with any of the State plans that have already been put into effect. The other advantage that this plan has is that it goes into effect at least a year earlier than any of the other plans. Lastly, our plan gives the help to those seniors who truly need it. Regarding the really sad stories we have heard on the floor of the Senate, this plan helps those seniors more than the Democrat plan, and it helps them even more than the tripartisan plan. If you are a moderate-income senior, with $17,000 of income or so and have $5,000 a year in drug costs, our plan helps those seniors more than any of the other two plans. I urge the other Senators in this Chamber to support the Hagel-Ensign plan.”