| This vote was to cut off debate in order to vote on the so-called tripartisan amendment (Amdt. 4310) to S. 812, offered by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). The amendment would have provided taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies and HMOs to offer prescription drug coverage to seniors and the disabled, rather than have it provided under the Medicare program. The coverage offered by these private plans would have been unreliable and inadequate, requiring beneficiaries to pay for their first $250 in drugs purchased each year and 50% of the costs until the total cost of their drugs reached $3,450. No assistance would have been provided for drug costs between $3,450 per year and $5,300 per year. Sixty votes were needed to cut off debate. Failed 48 Yea to 51 Nay. |