[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG FAIRNESS ACT

  (Mr. FORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Prescription 
Drug Fairness Act. Anyone in America who has older relatives or friends 
who are living on a fixed income and taking prescription drugs 
understand firsthand the devastating impact that the high cost of 
medication can have on the health and well-being of seniors.
  As we all know, with age comes a greater susceptibility to health 
problems. As such, it is no surprise that, on average, Americans over 
the age of 65 spend three times as much of their income, over 20 
percent, on health care than Americans under the age of 65. Three-
quarters of Americans 65 and older take prescription drugs. On average, 
Americans take 2.4 prescription drugs at any one time.
  One would think that since older Americans make up such a large 
segment of the market for prescription drugs that they would pay 
reasonable prices for their medication. Unfortunately, that is not the 
case. Due to cost shifting and the limited power of seniors, they get 
the short end of the stick compared to HMOs and other most-favored 
customers when it comes to the cost of drugs, which is why I rise in 
support of the Prescription Drug Fairness Act.
  Thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jim Turner) 
and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Tom Allen) we now have legislation 
which is designed to help level the playing field by; one, providing 
Medicare beneficiaries with a drug benefit card that will entitle the 
holder to purchase drugs at reduced prices from participating 
pharmacies; and, two, allowing pharmacies to purchase drugs at the same 
lower price as the Federal Government.
  As a public policymaker at the Federal level, I believe Congress has 
a responsibility to help protect seniors from the unreasonably high 
cost of prescription drugs. The Prescription Drug Fairness Act is 
designed to accomplish just that. I hope every one of my colleagues 
signs on and supports this legislation.

                          ____________________