[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5731-S5732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PRESCRIPTION DRUG AMENDMENT OF SENATOR ROBB

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to express my disappointment 
with the outcome of the vote that occurred last evening here in the 
Senate. I am referring to the vote on Senator Robb's amendment 
concerning a Medicare benefit for prescription drugs.
  Last night, we had an opportunity to give millions of elderly and 
disabled Americans something they desperately require, a universal 
prescription drug benefit. Yet, this measure was defeated, mostly along 
party lines, by a vote of 44-53. Our nation's seniors deserve better.
  The need for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare has grown 
each and every year. Advances in medical science have revolutionized 
the practice of medicine. And the proliferation of pharmaceuticals has 
radically altered the way acute illness and chronic disease are treated 
and managed.
  These remarkable advances, however, have not come without a cost. 
Since 1980, prescription drug expenditures have grown at double digit 
rates and prescription drugs constitute the largest out-of-pocket cost 
for seniors. For millions of seniors, many of whom are living on a 
fixed income and do not

[[Page S5732]]

have a drug benefit as part of their health insurance coverage, access 
to these new medicines is beyond reach.
  Even more alarming, it is estimated that 38 percent of seniors pay 
$1,000 or more for prescription drugs annually, while 3 in 5 Medicare 
beneficiaries lack a dependable source of drug coverage. This lack of 
reliable drug coverage for today's seniors is reminiscent of the lack 
of hospital coverage for the elderly prior to the creation of Medicare. 
Back in 1963, an estimated 56 percent of seniors lacked hospital 
insurance coverage. Today, after all our investments in health care and 
prevention, 53 percent of seniors still lack a prescription drug 
benefit.
  The need for a Medicare prescription drug benefit is a top concern 
for the elderly and disabled in my home state of Rhode Island. Many 
seniors continue to be squeezed by declines in retiree health insurance 
coverage, increasing Medigap premiums and the capitation of annual 
prescription drug benefits at $500 or $1000 under Medicare managed care 
plans. Mr. President, seniors in my state are frustrated and burdened 
both financially and emotionally by the lack of a reliable prescription 
drug benefit.
  While the need for a prescription drug benefit is clear and the 
desire on the part of some members of Congress is there, action on 
Medicare prescription drug legislation has been slow. The Senate 
Finance Committee has held a series of hearings on the subject of 
Medicare prescription drugs, however, the committee to date has been 
unable to produce a bill.
  In May, I joined Senator Daschle and several of my Democratic 
colleagues, in introducing S. 2541, the Medicare Expansion of Needed 
Drugs Act. This legislation seeks to provide millions of elderly and 
disabled Americans with an adequate, reliable and affordable source of 
prescription drug coverage.
  The MEND Act embodies the principles that I believe are necessary for 
an adequate prescription drug benefit--it is voluntary, accessible to 
all seniors, affordable, provides a reliable benefit and is consistent 
with broader Medicare reform.
  Last evening, the Senate had a real and possibly its only opportunity 
to enact a prescription drug benefit when Senator Robb offered an 
amendment during the consideration of the fiscal year 2001 Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill that would 
have provided a universal Medicare prescription drug benefit to our 
nation's seniors. While the proposal differs slightly from the MEND 
Act, it embraced the principles that I view as necessary for a good 
benefit. Regrettably, this crucial amendment was defeated.
  I sincerely hope that the stated desire of many of my colleagues to 
create an adequate and affordable Medicare prescription drug benefit 
will become a reality this year. During this time of strong economic 
prosperity, we should all feel compelled to seize this opportunity to 
strengthen and enhance Medicare for the new millennium.

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