Max Baucus: “this amendment fails to distinguish between Part B premium and Part D. This amendment calls for means testing Part D.…”

“this amendment fails to distinguish between Part B premium and Part D. This amendment calls for means testing Part D. What does that honestly mean? It will create massive confusion among seniors. Why? The Government sets the Part B premium. The private sector sets the Part D drug premium. There are 1,500 plans and each of them is different. Some premiums are a few dollars, some are $100. You think seniors were confused with Part D when it first came out? That is a picnic compared to the confusion this amendment is going to create. Think of all the confusion the seniors are going to have to face, trying to figure out is their premium means tested compared to their friends' premium next door? This is massively complex for seniors. There is so much confusion for seniors that the amendment should not be agreed to. I urge Senators to vote against this confusion.”