Repeal of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003

[Emsworth]

Repeal of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003

Section 1:  Definitions

1.  All estimates on projections of spending for the "Medicare Part D benefit" come from CBO estimates listed below.

Testimony on estimating the Cost of the Medicare Modernization Act, circa March 24, 2004

Projection of Spending for the Medicare Part D Benefit, circa February 9, 2005

2.  Through these estimates, it is assumed that the Repeal of the programs created under this Act shall save roughly $557.7 billion dollars over these next 10 years, and that the savings of the Repeal of these programs for FY 2006 shall be roughly $1.8 billion dollars

Section 2: Provisions

1.  The Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 is hereby repealed.

2.  All funds previously appropriated by the Senate for FY 2005 to fulfill the requirements of this legislation shall be honored by the Federal Government.

3.  All appropriations and other moneys set to be authorized for fulfillment of this legislation in the Preliminary Version of the Federal Budget for FY 2006 and all future Fiscal Years shall be terminated.

Sponsor: Sen. Sam Spade

[Sam Spade]

This essentially repeals the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan that was passed in late 2003

[Colin]

I am fully supportive of repeal the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan of 2003. I feel that this will help later Senates to balance the budget and provide extra money from paying off the debt. I fully support this piece of legislation and commend Senator Spade for introducing it.

[MasterJedi]

I would like to announce that I also support this legislation.

[True Democrat]

I will also likely support this, though I would like to hear more about the specifics of the PDMIA of 2003.

[Sam Spade]

The text of the Act can be found here:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.1:

[DanielX]

Excellent idea. Sadly, it's going to be tough to explain to those seniors grumbling about taking their drugs away...

[Emsworth]

I stand completely in favor of this legislation, and urge its passage. It will restore some sense of fiscal sanity to the government.

[Siege40]

Agreed. Given the current economic conditions, this should take priority.

Siege

[MasterJedi]

Since the mandatory 3 days of debate have passed I'd like to motion for a vote.

[Emsworth]

A vote will begin at approximately 9:45:49 AM EST today

[MasterJedi]

A vote will begin at approximately 9:45:49 AM EST today

Oh of course you'll have to start the damn vote when I'll be gone.

[Emsworth]

A vote will begin at approximately 9:45:49 AM EST today

Oh of course you'll have to start the damn vote when I'll be gone.

I'll accept an absentee vote from you, if you'll be gone for a while.

[MasterJedi]

A vote will begin at approximately 9:45:49 AM EST today

Oh of course you'll have to start the damn vote when I'll be gone.

I'll accept an absentee vote from you, if you'll be gone for a while.

It's only a few hours, it just seems a lot of votes start while I'm gone.

[Emsworth]

The question is on final passage of the bill. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[DanielX]

Aye

[Colin]

Aye

[True Democrat]

Aye

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[MasterJedi]

Only need one more vote for this to pass, hopefully that will come soon.

[King]

Abstain

[Sam Spade]

Aye.

[Emsworth]

The bill having garnered enough support to pass, Senators have 24 hours to vote or to change their votes.

[Gabu]

Aye.

[MHS2002]

Aye