Phil Gingrey: “As the gentleman said at the beginning of his remarks, the most important part of this legislation is that it helps our…”

“As the gentleman said at the beginning of his remarks, the most important part of this legislation is that it helps our needier seniors. It gives them probably the greatest benefit. Most of our seniors who are not low income, yes, they get significant help with this bill, particularly in regard to catastrophic coverage when they get above $3,600 out of pocket in any 1 year, but the point the gentleman is making is such a good one. It is so important for the public to understand, and that is that we are taking care of our neediest seniors first. If they have an income, an individual, of less than $12,000 give or take a few dollars per year or a couple at the $16,000 income level per year, then they pay nothing for their deductible. They do not pay a copay. They do not have to pay those monthly premiums. All of that is taken care of, and they are only liable for maybe a dollar for a generic drug or $3 for a brand-name medication or, if they are above 135 percent of the Federal poverty level, that goes to $2, $5. So minimum, and that is where the emphasis is, as the gentleman from the 12th is pointing out, on our most needy seniors.”