Bob Filner: “I rise today to protest the half-baked drug scheme that the GOP has jammed down Congress' throat. I find it a particular…”

“I rise today to protest the half-baked drug scheme that the GOP has jammed down Congress' throat. I find it a particular affront to our system of democracy that the Republicans blocked consideration of a plan that would easily cover all seniors. I join hundreds of my colleagues in opposing a GOP scheme that would force America's seniors and future seniors to rely on private insurance companies or HMOs for prescription drug coverage. GOP supporters of the scheme received hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies and HMOs. America's seniors deserve affordable prescription drug coverage. They should not have to make the preposterous choice between prescription drugs and paying their rent. The Democratic bill--on which GOP leaders refused to allow a vote-- would have guaranteed voluntary prescription coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare is available to the vast majority of people over 65. It would have a $25 monthly premium and a deductible of $100 per year. After that, beneficiaries would be responsible for just 20 percent of drug costs, with Medicare covering the remaining 80 percent. All costs would be covered after a beneficiary spent $2,000 out-of-pocket. The Republican bill guarantees no specific benefit and subsidizes insurance companies in the hope they will create private insurance plans.”