[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 111 (Tuesday, September 19, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H7742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GENERIC DRUGS PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ALTERNATIVE

  (Mr. GOODE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, today over 40 million Americans lack adequate 
health insurance coverage and millions more are struggling to cover 
their health care bills. Unfortunately, seniors and children are among 
the groups most vulnerable in American society. Finding solutions to 
this health care crisis has to be at the top of our agenda.
  Fortunately, there is help. Right now, generic drug companies are 
producing lifesaving and life-improving medicines that cost 
substantially less than brand name drugs. In fact, generic drugs 
provide one of the best values in the United States health care system. 
The substantial savings provided by generic drugs means more Americans 
can buy the medicines they need. It also means that through greater use 
of generic drugs, public health programs, like Medicaid and Medicare, 
can manage to help more Americans.
  Generic drugs should be a key part of any prescription drug program 
approved by this Congress.

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