OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 - Continued

Date: June 26, 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Drugs

PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2003—CONTINUED

ADULT DAY CARE

    Mr. GRASSLEY. I will be happy to work with both of you and our staffs to rectify this problem. Adult day care is an important issue, and being that the Senate and House of Representatives will have different language on this issue, it must be conferenced in a way to ensure that all with interests in this matter, including interested provider and senior organizations, are involved and approving of the final adult day care language. I am looking forward to further working with both of you on this matter.

REPEAL OF THERAPY CAPS

    Mr. GRASSLEY. I thank both the Senator from Nevada and the Senator from Arkansas for their comments and for withdrawing the amendment. As you may know, I asked CMS Administrator Scully at the Finance Committee markup to further delay implementation of these beneficiary caps. Unfortunately, as a result of the Senate Budget Resolution constraints, I do not have Medicare dollars to repeal the beneficiary cap on therapy services. I agree that this arbitrary limit does not make sense and have sought to address this issue in the past. I will work in conference to enact a therapy cap moratorium and appreciate your hard work and passion on this issue.

....

    Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, we are about to take a historical vote.

    Since 1965, Medicare hasn't covered prescription drugs. Now, 38 years later, we're changing that—on a strong bipartisan basis.

    Because of this bill, on January 1, 2004, seniors across America will have immediate help with prescription drug costs. Moreover, on January 1, 2006, seniors will have access to affordable, comprehensive drug coverage as a permanent part of Medicare.

    No longer will seniors have to make hard choices when it comes to paying for prescription drugs.

    This bill also strengthens and improves Medicare, giving seniors more choices and better benefits than they have today.

    At the same time, it brings long overdue Medicare equity to the people of Iowa and to other rural States.

    We are on the verge of a major victory.

    I urge my colleagues to support S. 1.

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