[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




GOP WORKING TO MAKE NEEDED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE 
                                 TO ALL

  (Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, America is the most prosperous 
nation on earth, yet some seniors here are forced to choose between 
putting food on their table and the prescription drugs they need to 
lead healthy and productive lives. That is just not right.
  Republicans are working to make sure that is a choice seniors no 
longer have to make. While I share the goal of President Clinton and 
Democrats in Congress, their proposal may endanger existing drug 
coverage that some seniors already have. It could give the Federal 
Government too heavy a hand in controlling drug benefits and deny 
seniors the right to select the coverage that best fits their 
respective needs.
  Republicans have a voluntary plan to make prescription drug coverage 
affordable and available to America's seniors. Republicans are working 
to protect seniors from runaway drug costs so that their retirement 
remains secure and they have greater peace of mind. That is a brighter 
future for every single American.

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