John Spratt: “Our resolution contains $16.3 billion over the next 10 years specifically earmarked for health care initiatives for…”

“Our resolution contains $16.3 billion over the next 10 years specifically earmarked for health care initiatives for military retirees over the age of 65. Our alternative includes the funding that would be necessary to cover the major provisions of H.R. 3655, a bill that was introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) who is the ranking Democrat on the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) who is the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Armed Services, and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor). Over that 10-year period, our Democratic alternative provides $5.4 billion in Function 550 for a prescription drug initiative and $10.9 billion in Function 570, the Medicare function, to provide for what we call around here Medicare subvention, to make military retirees over the age of 65 able to use their Medicare benefits at military treatment facilities. This is a major initiative and a major distinction between our budget and their budget.”