| This vote was on an amendment, offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), that would have given all beneficiaries the option of enrolling in a drug benefit directly though Medicare rather than be forced to get coverage through an HMO or other private insurance plan. The amendment was defeated and under the legislation that passed, S. 1, only in cases where private insurance plans do not offer coverage would beneficiaries be able to get their benefits directly from the Medicare program. Private insurance plans, under pressure to control their costs and make a profit, would cost more, market selectively, and have an incentive to create restrictive formularies that may deny beneficiaries access to needed drugs. Failed: 37 Yea to 58 Nay. |