Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, June 21, 2002

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suita 304 LulhorvilU, Могу land 21093 315 Cannon Hoot* Offic* Building Washington, D.C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Friday, June 21, 2002 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Votes to Bring $572 Million Home to Fix Maryland Medicaid Deficit 300,000 Maryland Seniors Eligible for Assistance WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) voted today for a massive prescription drug assistance package for America’s poorest seniors. The bill, which passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, included a $572 million drug cost payoff for Maryland seniors who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “The federal bailout of Maryland’s Medicaid system is crucial given Maryland’s budget shortfall. I am pleased to play an active role in bringing a half billion dollars home to help the state meet an important medical obligation to its seniors.” The initiative is part of the landmark $350 billion Medicare reform bill which will be considered by the entire House of Representatives in just a few days. The Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act includes a lifetime prescription drug benefit plan to help America’s seniors lead healthy lives. Seven million American seniors qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Known as “duel eligibles”, these seniors are disproportionately poor and are most likely disabled and in poor health. More than 300,000 of these seniors reside in Maryland. Under the Republican plan, benefit premiums for seniors below 150 percent of the poverty level would be fully subsidized beginning in 2005. Cost-sharing expenditures for seniors under 1 75 percent of the poverty level would be fully subsidized. Finally, premiums for seniors between 150 percent and 175 percent of the poverty level are subsidized on a sliding scale basis.