[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H4911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Toomey). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  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 around the state from seniors who shared their 
personal stories. On the 12th, I made a commitment to continue to read 
a different letter every week until the House enacts reform. This week 
I will read a letter from Crystal Pearl Beaudry of Marquette, Michigan.
  Text of the letter: ``Mrs. Stabenow, We are an elderly couple--78 and 
76 years ``young,'' and we sure do complain about the costs of 
[prescription] drugs.
  Our pension is only $1,200 [per month] and [by] the time we pay [for] 
our rent and food, eye glasses and dental work, ect., then try to pay 
for our drugs--which rise every time we need a refill--there is not 
much left!
  It seem that every time we have a doctor appointment, they either add 
a new prescription or change it . . .
  Also, at [my husband's] place of employment, if you retired before 
the age of 62, you lost $200 a month. He was ``laid off'' at 61 and a 
half. So again, we lost more income. It doesn't seem fair for the 
elderly! We have worked all of our lives and end up this way and this 
is our beloved U.S.A.?
  Below is a list of drugs:

                          [price is per month]

Novasac..........................................................$37.99
Prilosec.........................................................106.00
Allegra...........................................................33.29
Nitro..............................................................7.00
Premarin..........................................................22.97
Toprol............................................................33.29
Indur.............................................................43.94
Mysoloq...........................................................18.99
Premarin Cream....................................................40.99
Lipitor...........................................................49.99
Synlar.............................................................9.14
Aclovate..........................................................15.89
                                                             __________
                                                             
    Total cost...................................................419.48
                                                               ==========
_______________________________________________________________________

Plus--coated aspirin--Vitamin C, Vitamin E, calcium pills, 
    multivitamins, etc.

  We hope that you can succeed in your campaign. Sincerely, Crystal 
Pearl Beaudry.
  Seniors want and deserve a voluntary Medicare prescription drug 
benefit that is genuinely available to any senior who wants or needs 
it. That is why I will continue to read a letter from Michigan seniors 
until the House enacts real prescription drug legislation.

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