Henry Waxman: “I cannot tell Members how disappointed I am that we are not discussing a Medicare bill that will really meet the needs…”

“I cannot tell Members how disappointed I am that we are not discussing a Medicare bill that will really meet the needs of the American people. We are not doing it on a bipartisan basis. Who would have thought this is a partisan issue? Both parties promised prescription drugs for seniors under the Medicare program in the last election, but the Republican plan that is before us today does not provide an adequate benefit. It does not help bring down the cost of drugs or stop excessive pharmaceutical company profits. It does not establish what the premium will be, or if it will be affordable. Our Republican colleagues claim that the premium is set the same way the Medicare premium is now established; but that is wrong, and they know it. Medicare's premium is not set by a private insurance company that is interested first and foremost in its own profits. These premiums will be set just that way. The Republican plan does not guarantee help with the cost of the drugs the physicians prescribe for us, and it does not ensure that we get our drugs at the local pharmacy. The fact is, this plan does not guarantee anything except subsidies for private insurance companies. Let us put a real benefit in Medicare. Let us defeat this bill and give people the help they need.”