Kennedy Fails to Prolong Senate Medicare Bill Debate

Bloomberg.com ^ | November 24, 2003 | Bloomberg

[Bubba_Leroy]

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy and his fellow Democrats failed in a midday attempt to block a vote on a $395 billion Medicare bill to revamp Medicare, the federal health- insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

The Senate, including Minority Leader Tom Daschle, voted 70- 29 to prevent a delaying tactic called a filibuster. The vote sets a 30-hour limit on debate on the Medicare bill.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Too bad. I was hoping that the democRATs would be able to filibuster it. That would be the best of all worlds. Another massive government spending program would be blocked and the democRATs would be blamed for it.

[FirstPrinciple]

For once in my life, I was cheering for Teddy.

[microgood]

Too bad. I was hoping that the democRATs would be able to filibuster it.

My sentiments exactly.

[4CJ]

Too bad. I was hoping that the democRATs would be able to filibuster it. That would be the best of all worlds. Another massive government spending program would be blocked and the democRATs would be blamed for it.

All it will do is raise my taxes and my insurance costs. Gee thanks. I'm so happy I could cry. </sarcasm>

[Peach]

I can see we're all on the same page here. For the first time in my life, I'd hoped the Democrats would block this bill and the GOP would see reason.

[4CJ]

I can see we're all on the same page here. For the first time in my life, I'd hoped the Democrats would block this bill and the GOP would see reason.

I know the dims had a different reason for blockage, but I still hope it fails. Hitlery tried this, and conservatives everywhere cried "socialism". Where are they now?

[el_texicano]

Damned DemocRATs never come through when you need 'em. Like others here I was hoping their filibuster would work to our advantage. Alas, it was not to be. Even that floating ejection called Daschle let us down.

I love this president, but this tendency to give away the frickin store is a major pain in my wallet.

[Peach]

I know, I know. It's disheartening to say the least.

As a staunch Bush supporter, this is a bitter pill to swallow, no pun intended.

I think it's as good as passed, isn't it?

[NRA2BFree]

I was hoping this would be filibustered and blamed on the RATS. The only silver lining to this is that the 29 who voted against it will be remembered by AARP and the seniors. Hopefully the RATS will fall to Conservatives in the 04 election. Ted Kennedy, Tom Dacshle, Nancy Pelosi and other RATS are in that number. :)

[SuenTsn]

All it will do is raise my taxes and my insurance costs.

Well, if you're lucky, you'll be a senior one of these days. I hope you are saving a lot out of your pay to put by for your old age.

Today's seniors had hoped that their health care costs would be reasonable enough so that they could pay for them also when they came to need them. Some have to take pills that cost several hundred dollars each month. Given the fast-rising costs of prescription medicines, what do you suggest they do now? Shall it be that if they can't afford medicines they will just have to suffer pain or even die sooner than they should have to?

If you'd rather not pay so much in taxes, what do you suggest these seniors do who simply cannot afford medicines? The proposed bill offers them no help. It simply gives them two choices, neither of which a whole lot of them can afford.

[4CJ]

I think it's as good as passed, isn't it?

Personally, I thought the best chance of failure would be the House, now we're down to 100 Senators that will "do it for the children elderly'.

[Peach]

I went away for a week thinking it was dead and returned last Monday and could see there was still life in this senselessly expensive bill.

It's taken everyone by surprise, I think.

Read several articles last night and this morning on FR that say the more seniors know about the provisions of the bill, the less they like it and are very angry. This isn't going to garner any votes for Bush.

[what's up]

The Medical Savings Accounts in this bill are fantastic and I, for one, will take advantage of them.

[Helms]

Kennedy Fails to Prolong .......: Thats the Kennedy MO

[muleskinner]

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy and his fellow Democrats failed...

Ed is saddened, deeply saddened.

[m1-lightning]

I love this president, but this tendency to give away the frickin store is a major pain in my wallet.

So he's raised your taxes, or lowered your taxes?

[Dog]

This is going to get me flamed I think but ......you all know me here....here goes.....

I want this bill to PASS...hear me out.

The passage of this is doing more harm to the Democrat party going into '04 election that you all can imagine.........they are at each others throats.

Which is a good thing.

Now flame me if you must..

[m1-lightning]

Read several articles last night and this morning on FR that say the more seniors know about the provisions of the bill, the less they like it and are very angry.

It's because they are hugely misinformed.

[el_texicano]

With all the giveaways, especially this entitlement program, it won't be long till taxes will be forced to rise. Believe me, I would hope that Bush has something planned to reduce big government, but it sure doesn't appear on this horizon.

If you think you can explain this contradiction in policies, please go right ahead.

[plain talk]

If you'd rather not pay so much in taxes, what do you suggest these seniors do who simply cannot afford medicines?

Can't help them with that. It's their problem to plan their retirement and deal with unanticipated increased costs. Don't mean to sound hard nosed but what do you want me to do about it?

I'm more interested in the root problem. My view is the drug development costs are staggering because the low hanging fruit has been had and the current drugs being developed take much more research. Our society has become soft and accustomed to drug relief early generations didn't have. People whine about the high cost of viagra and want insurance to pay for that. In fact, it's becoming less like insurance and more like socialism every day. Many want the drugs but want someone else to pay for 'em. I'd welcome other more informed opinions.