[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1347-E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: THE STORY OF LUCILLE BRUCE

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                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 1999

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you and the American people 
today to address the high cost of prescription drugs. Over the last 
several weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit with many of my 
constituents to address this burdensome problem.

[[Page E1348]]

  As a matter of fact, I conducted a study, which conclusively proves 
that senior citizens in Mississippi pay outrageous amounts of money for 
much needed prescription drugs. Let me illustrate this by highlighting 
the story of one of my constituents--Ms. Lucille Bruce.
  Ms. Bruce lived in Federation Towers in Clinton, Mississippi. She 
enjoyed all the freedoms and dignities that should come with being a 
senior citizen. That is until the cost of her prescription medicine 
forced her to move in with her daughter. She pays $200 a month for 
prescription medicine and has a fixed income. Ms. Bruce told me that 
without her daughter she would have no money to stay healthy. She 
wonders how many senior Americans there are that don't have the family 
support she receives. She often feels she is a burden on her daughter, 
and recent hospital visits may result in more prescribed medicine and 
costs.
  Mr. Speaker, I can think of no other issue that deserves being 
addressed more than the cost of medicine our senior citizens have to 
pay. That is why I cosponsored the Prescription Drug Fairness for 
Seniors Act. It is time to do right by our seniors and make them 
favored customers just like the large HMO's and Federal Government.
  Mr. Speaker, schedule this crucial issue today for floor debate and a 
vote. Folks like Ms. Bruce need us.

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