Why did the Republicans approve the Medicare drug plan handouts?

Question

Since you CONS seem so down on handouts, why did Bush sign off on a Plan that we cannot pay for? Will you cons go home tonight and yell at your grandparents for accepting this handout?

Could it be because Seniors are a great area of voter support for Bush? Nah, he wouldn't approve handouts just be cause of that.

Source: Massive Medicare debt that will never be paid without an increase in payroll taxes.

Answer 1

Because the plan benefited large drug companies. Under the plan passed by the Republican Congress and pushed by Bush, the govt is not allowed to negotiate bulk purchase prices for drugs which are under patent. And so, the taxpayer pays the highest prices in the world for the drugs.

In addition ""Congress deliberately designed the bill in a way that would ensure that private insurance companies would provide the benefit instead of the Medicare administration or a single designated provider...This design both substantially increased the cost of drugs and administrative costs in addition to making the drug program much more complicated for beneficiaries"

http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2807

Answer 2

They were trying to take the issue off the table so the dems couldn't beat them over the head with it anymore. Doesn't make it right, but that's politics. The dems for 40 years haven't wanted to solve problems, they want issues they can beat up their opponents with. Take the tobacco lawsuit, if it's so bad for everyone, ban the product, but if they do that, they lose all that tax revenue from cigarette sales that fund childrens health care, and they lose the childrens health insurance program as a beating stick on the repubs.

Answer 3

It was part of Karl Roves plan to make a Bush majority out of minority Republicans and a bunch of single-issue voters:
- stem-cell veto for anti-abortion voters
- immigration amnesty to pick up Hispanic votes
- Medicare drug plan for picking up senior votes

Answer 4

well, when you're a crony of Big Pharm you wouldn't vote for a bill that allows Medicare to seek out cheaper drugs. that kind of competition would cut into Big Pharm profits. AND you'd veto a bill to expand health care access for America's poor children saying that covering poor children leads to socialized medicine. it's all about profits. $$$$$$$$

"compassionate conservatives". yeah right

Answer 5

Wow, Bush is d@mned if he did, d@mned if he didn't on this one with you people. I know seniors who get $7 Rx's and are STILL complaining.