Political Quotes

“What does our plan provide? Our plan will require of seniors who voluntarily elect to participate a $25 monthly premium to do so. There will be no deductible. There is an easy-to-understand copayment system, which is $10 per prescription for generic medication and $40 per brand name, medically necessary drug. I will pause at this point and point out the connectedness of this plan and this structure of benefits to the underlying legislation we have been discussing throughout the week to make it easier for all Americans to gain access to generic drugs. Our legislation has a strong incentive for the use of generic drugs by having the $10 copayment for generics, $40 for brand names. To the extent that more generics are available, which, of course, is the purpose of the underlying bill, we will reduce the cost of this program and make it even more affordable to senior Americans. We set a maximum out-of-pocket expense of $4,000 per year. Above that, all of the senior's drug cost, including copayments, will be covered. This is the so-called catastrophic coverage. Seniors with incomes below 135 percent of the poverty level will pay no premiums, and beneficiaries with incomes between 135 and 150 percent of poverty will pay reduced premiums. We want all senior Americans to be able to participate in this program. Our plan uses the same delivery model that America's private insurance companies utilize.”