[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 87 (Wednesday, June 26, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I do not know how you measure greatness in the 
modern world, but if in fact America is the greatest country in the 
world, then it seems to me we ought to be able to provide prescription 
drug coverage to our seniors. Unfortunately, the Republican 
prescription drug plan that is going to be brought to the floor is best 
symbolized by the hole in the doughnut, too much cost for too little 
coverage when compared with the Democratic alternative.
  Take a look at the premiums: the Democratic alternative, $25 fixed in 
statute. The Republican premium, not in statute, fluctuates. It may be 
$35. It may be $85. Probably at least $50.

                              {time}  1015

  Clearly, the Democrat plan is better.
  Deductible: Democrats, $100 deductible; Republicans, $200 deductible. 
Copay: Democrats, 20 percent; Republicans, after the first $1,000, 50 
percent copay. Clearly, too much cost, too little coverage.
  Finally, stop loss. Between $2,000 and $3,700, and the taxpayer pays 
the bill. There is no coverage, no protection whatsoever.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a bad plan, and we ought to reject it in the 
land of the great.

                          ____________________