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WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued today’s “Bush
Administration’s Misstatement of the Day” on prescription drug coverage
for seniors.
During
several speeches where he addressed the issue of prescription drug coverage
for seniors, President Bush said that seniors should get the same coverage
as members of Congress and federal employees:
“If
this kind of coverage is good enough for the United States Congress, it's
good enough for America's seniors.” (CNN, October 29, 2003)
“If
choice is good enough for Congress, it ought to be good enough for
the seniors in America.” (White House Press Release, June 30, 2003)
“If
the choice is good enough for lawmakers, it ought to be good enough for
seniors.” (Boston Globe, June 24, 2003)
“If
it's good enough for the Congress it's good enough for the senior citizens
of America.” (New York Post, January 30, 2003)
However,
according to an analysis by U.S. Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), the
compromise bill likely to emerge from the conference committee would not
provide seniors with the same coverage as members of Congress or federal
employees. For example, a member of Congress with a monthly $525
drug bill would have an annual $1575 out-of-pocket expense. On the
other hand, a Medicare beneficiary with the same monthly drug cost would
have a yearly $3662.75 out-of-pocket expense under the compromised drug
bill.
Schakowsky
said, “It doesn’t make it true, even if the President says it. President
Bush is not fooling seniors into believing that they are about to receive
the same drug coverage as members of Congress and federal employees, no
matter how many times he repeats it. Seniors want a voluntary, affordable
and comprehensive prescription drug plan under Medicare that does not force
seniors into HMOs and risk the future of the program itself.” |
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