Dean attacks Bush on drug bill

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean attacked President Bush on Sunday on the Medicare bill passed by the House, calling it an unacceptable piece of legislation that does the opposite of what it says.

"The bill that's before Congress essentially undoes health care in many ways," Dean said. "That's not a Democratic issue -- to undo health care."

el - He's absolutely right. The legislation keeps drug prices artificially high; doesn't kick in until 2006; potentially harms poorer, sicker seniors; will cause millions of seniors to be dropped from coverage by previous employers; leaves a giant "donut hole" in coverage; increases premiums and deductibles for many; and spends billions in subsidies to insurance companies and large corporations. $125 Billion of the the $400 billion cost goes to companies in subsidies and tax rebates, not for drugs for people.

The Politics -- Some Republicans see a potential backlash from senior citizens when they discover that the prescription drug benefit is far less than they expect, want or need." One conservative, Rep. Dick Armey , called the bill a "fig leaf" for the conservatives' failure to enact real reform. Part of the problem – the congressional leadership's unwillingness to work in a bipartisan fashion. As American Progress President John Podesta writes in his newest column, "Over the last few years, conservative leaders hell-bent on consolidating power have taken every political and legislative opportunity to push an ideological agenda – never letting a commitment to democratic principles or bipartisanship get in the way of a chance to score political points." (For more on the Medicare bill, see American Progress Fellow Jeanne Lambrew's talking points and analysis.)

The Payoff -- Lobbyists and heads of companies getting the $125 billion are some of the Bush reelection biggest donors. Tom Scully, the administrator of Medicare, said employers "should be having a ticker-tape parade." The legislation provides an estimated $86 billion to subsidize them for benefits many already provide.

The Debate -- Some of the fiercest debate is focused on a section of the bill that prohibits the government from negotiating lower drug prices for the 40 million people on Medicare. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, said he would lead a filibuster against the measure. The filibuster would likely be subject to cloture. Senators Dianne Feinstein of California, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, all Democrats, announced on Sunday that they would vote for the bill. Other Democratic senators who have endorsed it include Max Baucus of Montana, John B. Breaux and Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska. But Senator Don Nickles, Republican of Oklahoma, said he would vote against the $400 billion bill.

The good reason it may pass - Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, "This historic opportunity may never come again, and we cannot afford to let it pass," she said.

The bad reasons are above. Bush promised a drug bill as good as what members of congress and private employers get. But you already know about Bush promises.