[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

  (Ms. WATSON of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Medicare does not cover the 
cost of prescription drugs, and as a result, approximately 10 million 
medical recipients nationwide lack any prescription drug coverage. It 
is estimated by the Kaiser Foundation that seniors spend on average 
$1,756 per year for prescription drugs.
  Due to the extraordinary cost of prescription drugs, millions of 
seniors will, A, have to choose between proper medication and rent; B, 
have to choose between proper medication and groceries; or, C, have to 
suffer because of improper doses of unaffordable medicines.
  Mr. Speaker, I challenge this Congress. How dare we. How dare we 
affect the quality of life for our seniors by withholding funding for 
prescription drugs. How dare we dismiss our seniors with a poorly 
funded mandate that will not cover their needs. How dare we allow our 
Medicare seniors to be squeezed by an industry lobby when life and 
death is on the line.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to honor our seniors, respect their 
age and wisdom and their contributions to America. Fully fund medical 
prescription drug coverage.

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