[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E742-E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a 
prescription drug benefit for all seniors.
  As a nurse, I am very familiar with the role of prescription drugs in 
medical treatment programs. In recent years, more and more drugs have 
become available to manage medical problems that formerly were left 
untreated or required periods of hospitalization. These drugs have 
allowed Americans to live longer, more productive lives.
  I also know the importance of taking the correct dosage of drugs, at 
the prescribed times. Today, too many seniors cut back on the dosage, 
or alternate the days they take the drugs. By altering the dosage, they 
do not receive the full benefit of the prescription drug therapy. Some 
seniors are forced into choosing between buying food or paying for 
their prescription drugs. Why have they been faced with these 
decisions? Because they cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions.
  It is time for Congress to establish a Medicare prescription drug 
plan. We need to make prescription drugs affordable for all our 
seniors, regardless of where they live, what drugs they take, or their 
income level. We need a plan that provides a meaningful reduction in 
the cost of prescription drugs.
  But more importantly, we must also look at the continuing increase in 
the cost of prescription drugs. The rising cost of drugs is certainly a 
consideration in a Medicare prescription

[[Page E743]]

drug plan. The problem of increasing prescription drug costs is not 
limited to our seniors. Individuals enrolled in HMOs, employer 
sponsored insurance plans, or private insurance plans are seeing their 
coverage of prescription drugs diminish and/or their co-payments rise 
as the insurer tries to keep pace with the rising cost of prescription 
drugs. Hospitals and state Medicaid programs are struggling with the 
cost of prescription drugs. We must look at ways to ensure prescription 
drug are available at reasonable prices for all Americans.

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