REPUBLICANS SCALING BACK MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL.President Bush's unsuccessful effort to get other nations to help with Iraq's reconstruction and postwar security costs is forcing congressional Republicans to rethink re·think tr. & intr.v. re·thought , re·think·ing, re·thinks To reconsider (something) or to involve oneself in reconsideration. re their decision to set aside $300+ billion for Medicare prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, coverage. Sen. Don Nickles Donald Lee Nickles (born December 6, 1948) is an American political leader who was a United States Senator from Oklahoma from 1981 until 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. While in the U.S. (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a member of the conference named to resolve differences between the bills passed by the House and Senate, has reportedly persuaded his colleagues the nation cannot afford the new entitlement. Bush had made prescription drug coverage for seniors a top priority, in part because he wanted to tout Tout To promote a security in order to attract buyers. tout To foster interest in a particular company or security. For example, a broker might tout a security to a client in the hope that the client will purchase the security. the new benefit as a Republican accomplishment in the coming presidential campaign. But his attention has been focused on persuading Congress and other nations to pay for the ever increasing costs of the war in Iraq and now time for finding a compromise is running out. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) had predicted the conferees would reach a compromise by the end of September so both Houses would have time to vote on the final bill before adjournment A putting off or postponing of proceedings; an ending or dismissal of further business by a court, legislature, or public official—either temporarily or permanently. . Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) had been less optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op , predicting a compromise would be worked out by the middle of October. The conferees, however, have made little progress in reaching a compromise over significant differences between the House and Senate bills, agreeing only on issuing a prescription drug discount card to seniors. Frist and Grassley also have been unable to reach a compromise with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), a conferee con·fer·ee also con·fer·ree n. 1. A participant in a conference. 2. One upon whom something, such as an honor, is conferred. Noun 1. . DeLay is adamant the final bill require Medicare to compete against private health plans starting in 2010, as the House bill provides. Frist and Grassley are just as adamant in their opposition to including such a provision in the final bill, saying it will doom the bill's prospects for getting through the Senate. As a result, the conferees are at an impasse im·passe n. 1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac. 2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations. and time is running out for them to reach a compromise. Grassley still thinks a compromise can be reached if the president steps in with some clear guidance for his fellow Republicans. Meanwhile, Nickles is gaining support for doing little more than issuing the prescription drug discount cards to seniors and providing a better benefit for the poorest seniors through Medicaid. |
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