The Rx Medicare 2000 Act, H.R. 4680, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 217 to 214. Hayworth is the first Arizonan ever to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Medicare. At the same time, our plan is voluntary, and it protects seniors who are satisfied with their current prescription drug coverage. Our plan is superior to the president's because we trust seniors. We allow seniors to maintain control over their own health care choices.
Seniors have different health care requirements and know what's best for their individual needs.
Rx Medicare 2000 creates a voluntary plan under Medicare, designated as Part D, that reduces prescription drug costs. All beneficiaries currently in Part B would be eligible to voluntarily participate in Part D. Seniors who currently have prescription drug coverage can keep it. Under the measure, seniors will be allowed to choose from private insurance plans that best fit their individual needs. Like other types of insurance, each plan will offer a different schedule of benefits, premiums, and co-payments. The measure now goes to the U.S. Senate.