Max Baucus: “I don't want to overdramatize this point, but I think it is accurate. If this amendment doesn't pass, an extremely…”

“I don't want to overdramatize this point, but I think it is accurate. If this amendment doesn't pass, an extremely modest amendment--and I mean extremely--there is a very good chance, more than a 50-percent probability, that this Congress will not pass a prescription drug benefit bill this year. Why do I say that? I say that because the amount in the resolution is so small that seniors won't use it. Why do I say that? I say that roughly the $153 billion in the budget resolution under earlier estimates would require a deductible of about $2,000. How many seniors are going to want to participate in a prescription drug program with a deductible of $2,000? This is voluntary. This is not a mandatory program under this amendment. It is all voluntary. Contrast that with catastrophic, years ago, which was mandatory; this is voluntary. Seniors will not use it. It is not worth it. We will be making a false promise if we attempt to pass something such as that. We won't pass it because too many seniors will already have exposed it for what it is. Instead, we are suggesting, by our amendment, take a very small sliver out of the $1.6, $2.6 trillion tax bill, however you want to categorize it.”