Arkansas Senators Fail To Alter Medicare Bill

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Arkansas Senators Fail To Alter Medicare Bill

By Alison Vekshin
Fort Smith Times Record, June 25, 2003

WASHINGTON - Arkansas senators tried but failed Tuesday to amend a major Medicare overhaul bill to ensure continuous drug coverage for the rural elderly and allow seniors to take advantage of lower-priced prescription drugs.

The Senate voted 51-45 to kill an amendment by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., that would allow rural senior citizens to remain enrolled in a federally run prescription drug plan for two years instead of one in areas where private insurers have not stepped in to offer coverage.

“It’s disappointing,” Lincoln said following the vote. “We’ve got 15 states right now that don’t have any private plans in them.”

Earlier, senators voted 66-31 against a proposal by Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., designed to eliminate prescription drug price disparities between the United States and Canada, where medication costs less.

Under Pryor’s amendment, American pharmacies and wholesalers will be allowed to buy prescription drugs at the same favorable terms charged Canadians even if the Department of Health and Human Services blocks drugs from being reimported from Canada.

The proposals by the Arkansans are among dozens the Senate is weighing as it moves toward passage of a bill adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.

Lincoln has several other amendments pending as the Senate looks to complete action by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, the House is scheduled Thursday to begin debating its own Medicare legislation, formed largely by Republicans.

On Tuesday, Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in criticizing the plan.

Berry said the Republican bill would reduce choices for rural seniors by forcing them into health maintenance organizations that are pulling out of rural states like Arkansas.

Private companies “don’t want anything to do with these areas,” Berry said.

Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, defended the legislation, saying it includes provisions designed to help rural hospitals and boost rural physician pay.

“The vast majority of House members represent rural America,” Boozman said. “They are not going to allow those folks not to have good coverage.”

Summary: Arkansas senators tried but failed Tuesday to amend a major Medicare overhaul bill to ensure continuous drug coverage for the rural elderly and allow seniors to take advantage of lower-priced prescription drugs.

“It’s disappointing,” Lincoln said following the vote. “We’ve got 15 states right now that don’t have any private plans in them.”