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[Page: S7366]  GPO's PDF
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   Mr. SARBANES. Madam President, I rise to express my disappointment about the outcome of the Senate's recent vote on Medicare prescription drug coverage. The Senate missed an opportunity to provide one of the most important expansions of Medicare benefits since the system was created in 1965. Senator Graham's proposal, of which I was proud to be an original cosponsor with a number of my Democratic colleagues, would have provided comprehensive, voluntary, and affordable prescription drug coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries. Though the majority of the Senate supported this proposal, it lacked the votes necessary to proceed.

   We know that more than 1 in 3 Medicare beneficiaries lack prescription drug coverage. We know, too, many seniors struggle to pay for the medicine they need to keep them healthy and treat their diseases and illnesses. We know that doctors are now put in the unthinkable position of considering a patient's financial situation when developing a course of treatment. Doctors are conflicted by this, but know that it does not benefit the patient to prescribe a drug , even though it may be the best method of treating or curing an illness, if the patient cannot afford the medicine.

   More importantly, I, like most of my colleagues, continually hear from constituents who face this dilemma directly. They are ill, they are frustrated, and too many times, they are embarrassed to have made it this far in life and have to ask for help after years of independence. I have heard from those who may not have a direct need, but who are desperately seeking assistance for a loved one who needs help. They are frustrated to learn that there is nowhere for them to turn because Medicare provides nothing for outpatient drugs, yet they have too much income or too many assets to qualify for state offered assistance.

   The Graham proposal would provide drug coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries for a $25 monthly premium, no deductible, a $10 copayment for generic drugs, and a $40 copayment for preferred brand name drugs. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries would have all of their prescription costs covered after they spend $4,000 in out-of-pocket costs. Assistance would begin with the very first prescription , and there would be no gaps or limits on the coverage provided. Under Senator Graham's proposal, low-income seniors would not be required to pay premiums or copayments for their coverage.

   Regrettably, some of my colleagues did not support the Graham amendment. They voted instead for an alternative that required seniors to pay a $250 deductible, while only covering 50 percent of their prescription costs up to $3450. After a Medicare beneficiary's costs exceed $3450, he or she would receive no assistance whatsoever until his or her costs reach $3700. Above $3700, the government would then only pay 90 percent of drug costs. Under this proposal, those who are the sickest, with the highest drug costs, would be forced to pay more when they require assistance the most.

   Many of those who opposed the Graham proposal complained about the cost of this proposal. I find it perplexing that we can find money for other things, but not for the mothers, fathers, grandparents and other Americans that need our help in their older years. Opponents of the Graham bill found money to fund a large tax cut costing $1.35 trillion last year a tax cut that primarily benefit the very wealthiest Americans. Many of my fears about the decision to pass such a large and unreasonable tax cut have been realized raids on Social Security and Medicare , a return to budget deficits, instability in the financial markets. It has forced us unnecessarily to limit resources for those things that should be national priorities. I remain astonished that some believe tax cuts should be a priority over providing prescription drug coverage to everyday Americans who have worked hard and paid their taxes all their lives.

   Yesterday, we had the chance to mark the 107th Congress with the greatest overhaul of Medicare benefits since its inception 37 years ago. I supported the Graham prescription drug plan along with 51 of my colleagues because I believe it is the only proposal that would provide Medicare beneficiaries with real comprehensive prescription drug coverage. I only hope that we can find a way to enact a meaningful Medicare prescription drug benefit this year. Our older Americans deserve no less.

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