[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10517-S10518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 1778. A bill to extend medicare cost-sharing for qualifying 
individuals through September 2006, to extend the Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families Program, transitional medical assistance under the 
Medicaid Program, and related programs through March 31, 2006, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my colleague 
Senator Max Baucus in introducing the ``Medicare Cost-Sharing and 
Welfare Extension Act of 2005.''
  This legislation extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, 
TANF, for 3 months and provides funding for 6 months of Transitional 
Medical Assistance, TMA, for families

[[Page S10518]]

making the transition from welfare to work. As my colleagues know, H.R. 
3672, which has been signed into law, would extend TANF until December 
31, 2005, so this legislation represents a total extension of TANF 
until the end of March, 2006.
  This is the twelfth extension of TANF and related programs. Welfare 
reform reauthorization should have been passed years ago. Too many 
families are languishing on the welfare rolls and we are seeing a 
backsliding of the improvements that we saw in the early years, after 
welfare reform. Child care funding has remained stagnant. States have 
been operating their welfare programs under a cloud of uncertainty 
regarding what a final Federal welfare reauthorization bill would 
require of them. We need to make some critical reforms to build on the 
success of the 1996 bill and give States the ability to manage and plan 
for their welfare programs. I am hopeful that this represents the final 
short-term extension of TANF and that the Congress will act quickly to 
pass a comprehensive welfare bill.
  Additionally, this legislation includes a provision to extend cost-
sharing assistance to qualifying individuals, QIs, for the Medicare 
Part B premium through September, 2006. This program has been helping 
vulnerable individuals with incomes between 120 and 135 percent of the 
Federal Poverty Level since 1997. It is estimated that the Part B 
premiums will cost a beneficiary $88.50 a month, an increase of $10.30 
from the current $78.20 premium. For these low-income individuals, that 
represents a significant percentage of their monthly income. The 
President's budget includes a one year extension of the QI program.
  Both the QI and TANF programs provide critical support to individuals 
and families with children who are in need--folks who otherwise might 
not be able to get healthcare services or make ends meet.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
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