[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2000

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, I led an hour of debate on 
the topic of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. I read 
three letters from seniors around the state of Michigan who shared 
their personal stories with me. On that day, I made a commitment to 
continue to read a different constituent letter every week until the 
House enacts reform. This week, I will read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. 
Arnold Crook.
  Modern medicine has changed dramatically over the last three decades. 
When Medicare was created in 1965, most medical treatment was provided 
in hospitals. Surgery and other inpatient treatments were the norm and 
Medicare coverage for long hospital stays was a priority. Today, with 
the benefit of breakthrough pharmaceutical discoveries, many diseases 
can be controlled and treated with medication rather than lengthy 
hospital stays. Routine surgeries and procedures are performed on an 
outpatient basis. Medicare needs to be modernized to reflect these 
changes in our nation's healthcare delivery system. The number one 
advance in medical science of the 20th century is the development of 
life-saving drugs. It is critical that Medicare covers prescription 
drugs, so that seniors can have access to the best and most medically 
advanced treatments.
  Furthermore, the price of prescription drugs is rising at a dramatic 
rate and we need to do something to make prescription drugs more 
affordable. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, drug prices rose 
by 306 percent between 1981 and 1999, while the Consumer Price Index 
rose just 99 percent during the same period. In other words, 
prescription drug prices have increased at a rate three times higher 
than inflation.
  The letter I will read tonight comes from a couple who reside in 
Hillsdale, MI. I am saddened to say, their story is not unique. I have 
asked seniors from all over Michigan to send me their personal stories 
about the prices they pay for prescription drugs and many of them send 
me copies of their bills. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Crook sent me a bill that 
shows they paid over $1,125 for their prescription drugs last year. 
Here is their story.
  ``Madam, we have a income of $800 a month between the two of us. 
Beside, we have our household costs. We can't go [out] or do anything 
because [it] takes all of our income for the cost to live. Some weeks 
[we] wonder just how long we can go on. It [our prescription drug bill] 
keeps going up in cost and [we] cannot live. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold 
Crook.''
  Mr. and Mrs. Crook and thousands of older Americans like them need 
our help. Creating a Medicare prescription drug benefit to help cover 
the costs of their medications would make a big difference in their 
finances and in the quality of their lives. These seniors are a part of 
the ``greatest generation ever'' who helped build the strong economy we 
are enjoying today. Our nation is in economic good times and I believe 
it is time to fix the Medicare program so that it includes a 
prescription drug benefit.

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