[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4833-S4834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING OLDER AMERICANS

 Mrs. CARNAHAN. Thank you, Mr. President, my discussions with 
Missourians reflect that their predominant concern these days is 
security security from the terrorist threat, and also security in their 
personal lives. Our seniors are deeply concerned about the price of 
prescription drugs, how to remain living independently in their own 
homes, and being able to afford their expenses living on a fixed 
income. May is Older Americans Month, and I want to take this 
opportunity to focus Congress' attention on the work that needs to be 
done to meet our commitment to seniors. That work includes passing a 
Medicare prescription drug benefit, providing seniors with the 
opportunity to live independently in their own communities, and 
increasing funding for the Older Americans Act.
  I am a proud member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which 
is charged with overseeing issues of importance to seniors. In my 
capacity as a member of that Committee, last summer I chaired a hearing 
in Jefferson City, Missouri on the high cost of prescription drugs.
  I want to share a story with you. At the hearing, a 92-year-old woman 
told me how ashamed she felt when she had written a check to cover her 
medication--knowing she did not have the money in the bank to cover it. 
Shame on us, I thought Shame . . . on us for allowing such indignities 
to be inflicted upon our senior citizens.
  It is wrong to force older Americans to choose between rent and food 
and the medications they need to stay healthy. That is why I am urging 
Congress to enact a meaningful, affordable, and universal Medicare 
prescription drug benefit this year. I have also written to the 
Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee supporting $750 billion over 
ten years for the senior drug benefit. In addition, I am supporting 
legislation that would lower the price of prescription drugs for all 
Americans by closing loopholes in current law that allow brand name 
drugs to keep lower cost generic drugs from entering the market.
  I believe that it is important for seniors to live independently in 
their own homes and communities for as along as possible. That is why I 
fought to secure $1.28 million in last year's appropriations bill to 
establish a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) pilot 
program in St. Louis. The funds will support medical care, nutrition 
assistance, social services, and caregiver supports to residents of 
NORCs in St. Louis. This approach will allow seniors to stay in 
comfortable, less expensive surroundings while maintaining their 
independence and dignity. Services are cost-effective because seniors 
are living in a centralized area.
  Finally, I would like to voice my support for increased funding for 
the Older Americans Act. This Federal program provides critical 
nutrition and support

[[Page S4834]]

services to seniors across Missouri, as well as across the country. 
Earlier this year, I wrote the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations 
Subcommittee that oversees this program and requested a 10 percent 
increase in funding for the Older Americans Act, brining the total 
funding to $1.319 billion. This support for increased funding also 
applies to the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Older 
Americans Act Nutrition Program. I will continue to work hard for this 
increase because of its importance to seniors.
  Once again, I want to recognize how vital it is that Congress 
continue to keep in mind the needs of our country's seniors as we move 
forward through the legislative process this year. There are many 
issues of importance that still need to be addressed.

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