Dennis Kucinich: “the Qualified Individual, or QI, program pays the monthly Medicare part B premium for low-income beneficiaries. On…”

“the Qualified Individual, or QI, program pays the monthly Medicare part B premium for low-income beneficiaries. On September 30, 2005, the authorization for QI-1 expired. If it is not reauthorized within days, over 160,000 low-income seniors and those with disabilities will lose this crucial assistance on which they rely to cover their health care costs. That means that some people who make less than $1,092 a month will lose almost 10 percent of their income. This is simply unnecessary, since QI's extension has strong and broad support. It is supported by 35 separate health advocacy organizations. In addition, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and I have a bill to extend the benefit that has bipartisan cosponsorship. In fact, a similar extension passed the House last year by a voice vote. This bill before us today will make sure our seniors do not lose their income by extending the benefit for 1 year. In doing so, it builds on a consistent history of temporary extensions in recent years. If this bill becomes law, I urge Congress to turn its attention to a more permanent solution. Every year the benefit has strong support, and more often than not we find ourselves rushing at the last minute to keep it alive. My hope is that before it expires again next year, Congress will pass a permanent reauthorization. Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.…”