Louise Slaughter: “Today, the House votes on the biggest change in Medicare in its 40-year history, a change that will affect 40 million…”

“Today, the House votes on the biggest change in Medicare in its 40-year history, a change that will affect 40 million Americans; but the Republican leaders have rigged the rules to prevent the House from voting on serious alternatives offered by Republicans and Democrats alike. I will call for a ``no'' vote on the previous question in the hope that the House gets the chance to consider an additional alternative that the Republican leaders fear. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment to the rule that will make in order the Dooley prescription drug alternative substitute. It makes all senior citizens enrolled in Medicare part B eligible for prescription drug assistance without increasing their premiums. Unlike the Republican bill, it has no sickness penalty or doughnut hole that seniors can fall through. Unlike the Republican bill, it does not encourage companies to drop seniors' existing drug plans. Let me make it clear that a ``no'' vote on the previous question will not stop the consideration of H.R. 1. It will simply allow the House to vote on the Dooley substitute. However, a ``yes'' vote on the previous question will prevent the House from voting. I urge a ``no'' vote.”