[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN AMERICA

  (Mr. BONIOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the discharge petition drive that is being 
launched today is strong medicine, and it is the right prescription for 
American families.
  But do not take my word for it. Just ask Sue Darling, who is a 
constituent of mine in Port Huron, Michigan.
  Mrs. Darling suffers from Parkinson's Disease and other illnesses. In 
fact, before her husband died last year, they spent 60 percent of their 
income on the medicine that they both needed.
  The cost of filling three prescriptions Mrs. Darling needs just for 
her emphysema alone comes to more than $300 per month. That is $300 for 
three prescriptions.
  She has Medigap coverage, but it is exhausted after three months.
  Mrs. Darling is at the point now where she would beg her physician 
for free samples of the inhalers that she needs. That is why we are 
jump-starting the debate over affordable prescription drugs in this 
country.
  The chance to craft a sensible solution, we are not asking for 
anything more than that.
  Lord knows Americans like Mrs. Darling deserve nothing less.

                          ____________________