Political Quotes

“the ranking member, Senator Baucus, raised a number of valid issues as to how we were able to improve upon the lessons we learned last year from our debate on this most important issue regarding asset tests. That was, obviously, one of the areas we had difficulties addressing in a way that would satisfy most of our colleagues in the Senate. This year, having drawn upon those lessons, we did craft a proposal that ultimately maximizes the ability of those low-income individuals of participating in this program in the fairest way possible, and that is not to exclude those who certainly are in need of this type of benefit and certainly are in need of some type of assistance because they do have low incomes. Therefore, I think the asset test is a much more fairer approach, much more equitable, without excluding those who certainly have the need for this type of program. We have come a long way in designing a system that, for the most part, will satisfy those who had concerns with the previous provision in the tripartisan plan. In fact, Families USA supported our legislation with respect to this provision. I quote from it: We congratulate the U.S. Senate for making major improvements in the prescription drug coverage for America's 14 million Medicare beneficiaries below 160 percent of poverty.…”