April 03,2001

Grassley Secures Funds to Strengthen Medicare, Add Prescription Drug Benefit


WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, wonpassage of an amendment to the budget resolution this afternoon to provide funding and maximumflexibility for lawmakers to craft a responsible Medicare reform and prescription drug proposal.

The Senate voted 51 to 50 for Grassley’s proposal, which was offered as a second-degreeamendment to the Baucus/Graham amendment on prescription drugs. It was the first Senate voteon which Vice President Dick Cheney broke the tie.

“This amendment is a victory for the American people. It will give senators the opportunityto craft responsible Medicare legislation with a prescription drug benefit and make sure we maintainfiscal responsibility,” Grassley said. “It’s the right approach because nobody’s got a crystal ball toknow exactly how much money legislation to reform Medicare and add a prescription drug benefitwill cost. We do know that we shouldn’t worsen Medicare's financial condition. And we need totake steps to strengthen and improve Medicare's management and delivery system, while improvingaccess to outpatient prescription drugs. We need to do this all at the same time. So, the price tagof Medicare reform depends on the policy, and I’m committed to action on Medicare policy.”

Grassley’s amendment gives the chairman of the Budget Committee the ability to reallocatefunds as necessary, beyond $153 billion and not over $300 billion over 10 years, toward anyMedicare legislation the Finance Committee puts forth, as long as this legislation provides reformsto the Medicare program and improves access to prescription drugs.

Sens. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Bill Frist of Tennessee,Susan Collins of Maine, and Gordon Smith of Oregon co-sponsored the Grassley amendment. Thebudget resolution is not binding, but it sets parameters for tax and spending legislation.

Under Grassley’s leadership, the Finance Committee has conducted hearings to look at trendsin Medicare spending and the cost implications of a new drug benefit, Medicare solvency, and theMedicare+Choice program. He has planned additional hearings to examine reforms to the HealthCare Financing Administration, modernizing fee-for-service, and payment inequities in cost-effectiveareas of the country.

“As chairman, I want to update Medicare to make sure beneficiaries have access to 21stcentury medicine, including the latest in pharmaceutical treatments and medical technologies. Wealso need to make sure we manage Medicare so providers can deliver the best quality of care withoutunnecessary paperwork burdens. And we need to make sure we oversee Medicare so tax dollarsaren’t wasted,” Grassley said.