Chuck Grassley: “Let me discuss the key criteria Senators should consider. First, is the drug coverage permanent and dependable? Under…”

“Let me discuss the key criteria Senators should consider. First, is the drug coverage permanent and dependable? Under the tripartisan amendment, drug coverage would be a permanent part of the Medicare entitlement, for the 21st Century. Under the Graham amendment, however, that coverage disappears into a black hole. The benefit expires the very same year the baby boomers begin to retire. In my view, it's terribly irresponsible to pull a 'bait and switch' on people who depend on Medicare. How will my colleagues explain to seniors in 2010 that they are out of luck because of a gimmick they used to hide the true cost of their proposal? I ask the Senate to support permanent, dependable drug coverage. The Graham amendment seriously restricts Medicare enrollees who want access to brand-name drugs. Its restrictive policy will result in long lines for ground-breaking drugs. Why? Because Senator Graham requires Medicare enrollees to wade through a bureaucratic appeals process in order to get needed drugs that are off the formulary. And it's not a short list--their formulary denies access to at least 90 percent of brand-name drugs! We've heard a lot about gaps in coverage. Mr. President, here's the biggest gap of all: the gap between the large number of brand name drugs beneficiaries may need, and the paltry number Medicare would cover under the Graham amendment.”