SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS

NOVEMBER 14, 2003

SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY -
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued today's "Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day" on prescription drug coverage for seniors.

During several speeches where he addressed the issue of prescription drug coverage for seniors, President Bush said that seniors should get the same coverage as members of Congress and federal employees:

"If this kind of coverage is good enough for the United States Congress, it's good enough for America's seniors." (CNN, October 29, 2003)

"If choice is good enough for Congress, it ought to be good enough for the seniors in America." (White House Press Release, June 30, 2003)

"If the choice is good enough for lawmakers, it ought to be good enough for seniors." (Boston Globe, June 24, 2003)

"If it's good enough for the Congress it's good enough for the senior citizens of America." (New York Post, January 30, 2003)

However, according to an analysis by U.S. Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), the compromise bill likely to emerge from the conference committee would not provide seniors with the same coverage as members of Congress or federal employees. For example, a member of Congress with a monthly $525 drug bill would have an annual $1575 out-of-pocket expense. On the other hand, a Medicare beneficiary with the same monthly drug cost would have a yearly $3662.75 out-of-pocket expense under the compromised drug bill.

Schakowsky said, "It doesn't make it true, even if the President says it. President Bush is not fooling seniors into believing that they are about to receive the same drug coverage as members of Congress and federal employees, no matter how many times he repeats it. Seniors want a voluntary, affordable and comprehensive prescription drug plan under Medicare that does not force seniors into HMOs and risk the future of the program itself."