[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I represent the great City of 
Cleveland Ohio, which is home to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and also 
music legends such as the singing group the O'Jays.
  The O'Jays had legendary hits in the 1970s like ``Climbing the 
Stairway to Heaven,'' ``Back Stabbers,'' and ``For the Love of Money''.
  Just like in the 1970s when these songs of conscience were the 
rallying cry for so many around the country, they still have relevance 
today when you consider how we in Congress have yet to pass a true and 
comprehensive prescription drug benefit for our greatest treasure--
Senior Citizens.
  I hope people remember the titles of these songs when trying to 
figure out why we in Congress have yet to pass what we promised you 
sometime ago--Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.
  Yes, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have touted a new 
Medicare reform package that is suppose to address the ills of those 
Americans who are forced to decide between eating or taking their 
medicine--Senior Citizens.
  I don't know a song title that would address this concern but I 
believe one of the three songs, I mentioned is appropriate and believe 
if you listen very closely to the tone my colleagues on the other side 
of the aisle are humming it just might be one of these songs--like 
``Back Stabbers'' or ``Climbing the Stairway to Heaven''.
  My personal favorite is ``For the Love of Money'' which was one of 
the O'Jays greatest hits. In one stanza in the song, the lead singer 
states, ``For the love of money, a person would steal from his own 
mother.''
  This is what is happening in many cases because I know many of my 
colleagues are not listening to their conscience but rather House 
Leadership--Leadership which does not want to see a true comprehensive 
prescription drug benefit this Congress but would rather wait.
  Waiting is an indication that many more people will continue to 
suffer because of inaction on our part.
  I was raised to believe that a broken promise is equivalent to 
stealing.
  But House leadership wants us to keep dancing. I pose the question to 
all--What are we dancing to?
  It seems that my colleagues once again have dropped a quarter in 
their rhetorical jukebox that plays music that they want us to dance 
to.
  But this time, I hope all of America listens closely to the beat and 
is not fooled by the words of the song or its rhetoric. Because if you 
listen closely you will hear:


                LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NOW

  Translation. Take credit for minimal discounts that are already 
available.


        GUARANTEE ALL SENIOR CITIZENS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

  Translation. Promise seniors an inadequate drug benefit offered by 
private insurance companies.


          IMPROVE MEDICARE WITH MORE CHOICES AND MORE SAVINGS

  Translation: Shift costs to seniors and limit choice of providers.


                   STRENGTHEN MEDICARE FOR THE FUTURE

  Translation: Undermine Medicare by forcing seniors into private 
insurance and HMOs for drug coverage.
  Stop the dancing! Stop the music!

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