[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 149 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 149

Expressing the sense of Congress that access to affordable prescription 
 drugs is critical to the quality of life of older Americans and that 
  coverage for prescription drugs should be included in the Medicare 
          Program as soon as possible, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 1, 1999

 Ms. Stabenow submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
  referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the 
 Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress that access to affordable prescription 
 drugs is critical to the quality of life of older Americans and that 
  coverage for prescription drugs should be included in the Medicare 
          Program as soon as possible, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Medicare program does not currently provide a prescription drug 
        benefit, leaving too many seniors in the United States unable to afford 
        the prescription drugs they need, often forcing them to choose between 
        medicine and important daily needs, such as buying food;
Whereas at least one-third of all Americans age 65 and older pay the entire cost 
        of their medicine at the highest possible prices, while many bulk 
        purchasers of drugs, including HMO's and the Federal Government, receive 
        generous discounts;
Whereas senior citizens in the United States spend roughly three times as much 
        of their income on health care as do those under the age of 65;
Whereas the average older American depends on 18 prescriptions a year;
Whereas pharmaceuticals represent the fastest growing sector of health care 
        costs in the United States;
Whereas medical care has changed dramatically since the inception of Medicare in 
        1965--conditions that once required surgery can now be treated with 
        medication--the program needs to be modernized to better meet these new 
        realities; and
Whereas the long-term solution to this problem is creating a prescription drug 
        benefit for the Medicare program: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) senior citizens should not be forced to pay a large 
        part of their monthly income for prescription drugs;
            (2) a top priority for the available budget surplus should 
        be to strengthen and modernize the Medicare program for the 
        future, including adding prescription drug coverage;
            (3) President Clinton should be commended for introducing a 
        Medicare reform proposal with a prescription drug benefit; and
            (4) Congress should consider legislation to accomplish this 
        as soon as possible.
                                 <all>