Frank Pallone: “New Jersey has a high cost of living. When one talks about $16,000, $17,000, $18,000, $19,000, one cannot live on it in…”

“New Jersey has a high cost of living. When one talks about $16,000, $17,000, $18,000, $19,000, one cannot live on it in most cases. As the gentlewoman said, we have heard two things from the Republicans. One is the Bush proposal which is the Helping Hand. I have in front of me, he says that the measure establishes block grants for States to provide prescription coverage for some low-income seniors. His plan limits full prescription coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with incomes up to 35 percent above the poverty level, up to $11,600 for individuals and $15,700 for couples. That is below what New Jersey is already offering with the casino revenue. We would not benefit at all, and that is obviously why in our State nobody is in favor of this. Mr. Speaker, the other thing that we are getting was this idea about the Republican proposal last session which is the drugs-only policy. In other words, rather than have prescription drugs as a benefit under Medicare for everyone, which the gentlewoman and I propose, and the Democrats propose, they would just give a certain amount of money and you go out with a voucher and buy a drugs-only policy.”