[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 102 (Wednesday, September 6, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H7219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NEVADA'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN WILL WORK
(Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, last week Vice President Gore criticized
the State of Nevada for its innovative prescription drug plan for
seniors.
Mr. Gore said it would not work. Mr. Gore said it was a complete
failure. He also said insurance companies would not participate.
Well, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respectfully say that Mr. Gore's
statements about Nevada's prescription drug plan were false and
misleading, and Mr. Gore should apologize to the hard-working people of
Nevada.
At least five insurance companies have asked to serve as the vendor
for the State's program. The State of Nevada will provide the selected
insurance company with help and, in turn, Nevada's low-income seniors
will truly benefit from reduced prescription costs, starting next year.
Providing an insurance-based prescription drug benefit can work and
Nevada is leading the way. It is time to get Washington, D.C. out of
the medicine cabinets of American seniors. It is time to follow
Nevada's lead and provide a voluntary, flexible, and affordable
prescription drug plan under Medicare.
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