House, Senate Medicare bills exceed Bush spending limits

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AP)

The rival Medicare prescription drug bills that cleared the two houses of Congress last month both exceeded President Bush's spending limits, officials said Tuesday in disclosures likely to complicate efforts to reach a compromise.

The Congressional Budget Office tentatively calculated the Senate-passed measure at $462 billion over 10 years, including $40 billion for one provision now likely to be jettisoned, according to several sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The cost of the House-passed bill was pegged at $408 billion. Bush has placed a $400 billion, 10-year limit on legislation to add prescription drug benefits and modernize the 38-year-old health care program for seniors. ---

The two bills vary greatly in their details, and the way to a final compromise is compounded by political differences that have produced gridlock for several years. In the House, both parties are already maneuvering for political advantage on the issue. ---

Go to the Store!

Get an Excelent ’04 Party Hat!

[barbaraann]

1. Well, they exceed my limit, too.

It is my opinion (and I'm a senior citizen) that we need to do something about child health care before we add to seniors' benefits.

[LauraK]

2. Erase the tax cuts and war for oil and we can do it all!

From the rooftops I say!