"I am unalterably opposed to this legislation.  It is a fulfillment of the Gingrich philosophy of putting in place the wherewithal for Medicare to wither on the vine. 

            “There are a number of reasons that I consider this proposed legislation to be a bad Bill.  But there are three things that, in my opinion, make it fatally flawed.

            “First and foremost is cost:  Under this Republican plan, the first $5,000 in coverage will cost Seniors about $4,000.  We Democrats are fighting to give our Seniors a prescription drug plan similar to the one we have where the first $5,000 of coverage cost us about $1,000. 

            “Secondly:  This Bill prohibits Medicare from negotiating better prices.  I voted against re-importation because I believe very strongly in the safety issues involved.  But to have a prohibition against negotiating better prices is just plain wrong, and will cause 110,000 South Carolina Medicare recipients to pay higher prices for their prescription drugs.

            “Thirdly:  This Bill creates incentives for employers to drop retiree coverage.  If CBO estimates are correct, approximately 2.5 million Medicare beneficiaries, 38,200 in South Carolina, will lose their retiree health benefits.  That is the ultimate broken promise.  

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