[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity 
to talk about a serious problem not only in my own district but around 
the country. Last week in our district in Houston we released 
statistics showing the high cost that fee-for-service Medicare 
recipients pay for prescription drugs. The minority staff of the 
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight conducted an investigation 
in the 29th District of Texas and found that seniors pay inflated 
prices for medication that they need to maintain their health. The five 
best-selling drugs for older Americans are almost twice as expensive as 
the prices drug companies charge their most favored customers, 
including the United States Government.
  The fundamental problems with finding affordable prescriptions for 
seniors are that seniors should not be forced into a managed care 
program just because they cannot afford their prescriptions. Many 
seniors around the country do not even have the opportunity to join an 
HMO because it is not servicing their area. MediGap insurance premiums 
that cover prescriptions are exceedingly too high.
  In the last Congress there was legislation introduced by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), and I cosponsored it, which would 
have made critical drugs more affordable to seniors. Whether we 
consider this proposal or another, this Congress needs to address this 
issue for Medicare seniors.

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