[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 126 (Wednesday, October 11, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H9639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENIORS WANT AN AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN THROUGH MEDICARE, NOT 
                             EMPTY RHETORIC

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, our seniors face skyrocketing prices of 
prescription drugs. Many are forced to choose between purchasing their 
medication and buying groceries. For those skipping meals or missing 
rent payments, a prescription drug benefit is vital to returning 
dignity to their lives.
  In July, this House passed an amendment to allow U.S. pharmacists to 
buy medications at the same low prices paid for in other countries, 20 
to 50 percent less for the same drugs, and then we could pass those 
savings on to our seniors. It makes sense.
  But last week in the dead of night the Republican leadership twisted 
this amendment into a deal full of loopholes so big that they could 
drive a truck through them.
  The deal does nothing for seniors. It only protects the 
pharmaceutical industry profits. This compromise artificially restricts 
access to safe and affordable drugs abroad. It gives the drug industry 
a veto over all imports.
  Our seniors deserve better. They deserve the same medications at the 
same prices that people are paying for overseas. It is time for the 
Republican leadership to stop using empty rhetoric. We should have a 
pharmaceutical plan that works. We ought to have a prescription drug 
benefit through Medicare.
  If there must be reimportation, then in fact let us be able to 
reimport those drugs at a price our seniors can pay for.

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