Landmark Medicare Overhaul Becomes Law
Prescription Drug Coverage To Begin In 2006
POSTED: Monday, December 8, 2003
UPDATED: 4:58 pm EST December 8,
2003
WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush signed into law a landmark Medicare overhaul Monday, calling it the "greatest advance" in health care for seniors since the program's founding.
"This bill is a victory for all of America's seniors," Bush said in a signing ceremony Monday morning. The president put pen to paper at a concert hall near the White House, surrounded by seniors and lawmakers.The centerpiece of the plan is a $400 billion prescription drug benefit. After a deductible of $275, 75 percent of prescription costs would be covered up to $2,200. The plan also covers most bills above $3,600.
The sweeping plan culminates years of often bitterly partisan wrangling. One controversial element of the bill is a limited program of direct competition between traditional Medicare and private plans. When seniors have the ability to make choices for coverage, health care plans will have to compete for their business, which will lead to better service, Bush said.But opponents are calling the bill a "cruel hoax" and vowing to continue the fight against it. Critics point to the big coverage cap and choices they say seniors will find confusing. Moreover, they say new concepts like means-testing and private competition could wreck Medicare's finances.The president said the bill delivers on a commitment to America's seniors. And the White House is keen to have him run for re-election as the man who cut through the rhetoric and delivered.In 2004, seniors will be eligible to receive a drug discount card to tide them over until the prescription drug coverage takes effect in 2006. At that point, seniors will be able to sign up for a stand-alone drug plan or join a private health plan that includes drug coverage.
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Bush Signs Landmark Medicare BillOpponents Rally To Repeal New Law
Democrats are pledging to fight for changes in the new law. In the first step in that battle, top Democrats held a rally Monday on Capitol Hill. Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts drew cheers as he pledged to repeal the law. Supporters stood as Kennedy vowed Democrats have "only just begun to fight." Kennedy claims that Republicans "sold out" and provided a measure that does little to help seniors with their prescription drug bills. Rep. John Dingell claimed that the signing of the measure caused stock prices to rise for pharmaceutical companies. Maryland Democrat Steny Hoyer called the new Medicare law a "sour deal" for seniors. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called the new law a "bitter pill" for seniors. She said Democrats have introduced a bill Monday to reverse the prohibition on the federal government negotiating for lower prices for drugs.Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., suggested that some seniors fear they may be forced into a private health plan under the measure. He has called the bill a "bailout for the HMOs and insurance companies." Previous Stories:
- November 26, 2003: AARP Faces Kickback For Backing Medicare Bill
- November 25, 2003: Sweeping Medicare Bill Passes Senate
- November 24, 2003: Senate Medicare Vote Slated For Tuesday
- November 17, 2003: Bush Hails Tentative Medicare Agreement
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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