[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 269--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN 
  AND IMPROVE MEDICARE IN ORDER TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS FOR 
      CURRENT AND FUTURE RETIREES, INCLUDING ACCESS TO A MEDICARE 
                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

  Mr. CRAIG (for himself, Mr. Cochran, and Mr. Inhofe) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance:

                              S. Res. 269

       Whereas our nation's senior citizens and the disabled need 
     and deserve the highest quality health care available;
       Whereas the Medicare program has not fundamentally changed 
     since its creation over 35 years ago and has not kept pace 
     with recent improvements in health care delivery;
       Whereas the Medicare Trustees report that the current 
     system is not sustainable;
       Whereas Medicare only provides limited access to many 
     lifesaving and health enhancing pharmaceutical and biological 
     medicines;
       Whereas America's seniors need a comprehensive, voluntary 
     outpatient prescription drug program under Medicare; and
       Whereas Medicare prescription drug coverage can best be 
     provided through comprehensive steps to modernize and 
     strengthen the Medicare program: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) by September 30, 2002, the Senate should consider 
     legislation to comprehensively modernize the Medicare program 
     under which beneficiaries will be offered more choices, 
     including outpatient prescription drug coverage;
       (2) this legislation should ensure that the Medicare 
     program's financial solvency is preserved and protected;
       (3) this legislation should permit beneficiaries to choose 
     from a variety of coverage options, including an option to 
     continue benefits under the current plan as well as an option 
     to choose from benefits offered by multiple competing, 
     private insurance plans that rely on competition to control 
     costs and improve quality; and
       (4) this legislation should provide at least one option 
     providing comprehensive outpatient prescription drug coverage 
     to Medicare beneficiaries, including those having high 
     prescription drug costs.

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a Sense of the 
Senate Resolution expressing support for Medicare Reform and the 
addition of a prescription drug benefit. I am pleased that Senator Thad 
Cochran and Senator James Inhofe are joining with me in this effort 
today.
  The Medicare program is of vital importance to our Nation's seniors 
and has been providing them dependable, affordable and high quality 
health care for over 35 years. Despite this, I think we would all agree 
that the system has not kept pace with modern medicine or coverage 
available to those covered by private insurance. The practice of 
medicine has changed dramatically since the inception of the Medicare 
program. The many new technologies and drugs that are available to our 
seniors today weren't even an option 35 years ago.
  No senior should have to worry about whether he or she can afford the 
medicine they need to stay healthy. I am well aware that the rising 
cost of prescription medicine and prescription drug coverage is a great 
concern for today's seniors and tomorrow's retires. Indeed, in some 
cases, prescription drugs are as important as a doctor's care. It is 
this reality that makes it so critical we focus our efforts on finding 
a solution.
  As discussion continues, it is crucial we develop effective options 
for simultaneously modernizing and securing Medicare. We can not afford 
to add an expensive new comprehensive benefit without real reform to 
the program and we need to focus our attention on the necessary steps 
to ensure Medicare remains dependable and up to date.
  This is why I am choosing to submit this Sense of the Senate 
Resolution expressing support for a prescription drug benefit and 
Medicare modernization. I am calling on the Senate to work to pass 
legislation on this issue before September 30, 2002 and to give current 
and future seniors the benefits they deserve. Included in this 
resolution are principles that I believe should be included in any 
Medicare or prescription drug legislation that passes this year. I hope 
my colleagues will join me in supporting these principles and working 
towards the goal of passing substantial Medicare reform.

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