[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Keller). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. This afternoon, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to address 
this whole issue of prescription drugs. It is an issue that is on the 
forefront of the minds of just about every senior in my district.
  Over the past year, I have visited at least 25 senior centers, and 
the stories that we are told over and over again would bring tears to 
almost anyone's eyes. Just the other day, we had a young lady, I say 
young, 70 years young, who in a meeting of seniors said to me, Mr. 
Cummings, I worked all my life. I worked very hard. Now that I am 
older, I find myself unable to afford my prescriptions. I go from 
drugstore to drugstore trying to collect samples, because I simply 
cannot afford the cost of prescription drugs. I wish that the Congress 
would be in tune with me and give me back my dignity.
  Then there was the gentleman at the Jewish senior citizen home in my 
district who stood up and said, You know, I cannot afford my 
prescription drugs anymore. What I am doing is cutting them in half and 
taking half of the prescribed dosage. I am 77 years old, and I am 
getting older and sicker every day. I want you to do something about 
it. Then he said something that is embedded in the DNA of every part of 
my memory bank. He said, Mr. Cummings, if the Congress does not do 
something fairly soon, I will be dead.
  We have other people in our districts throughout the country who are 
purchasing half of a prescription because they simply cannot afford the 
entire prescription. So I was very pleased today to hear and 
participate as the Democrats proposed a prescription drug plan. I know 
the Republicans have done the same thing.
  The issue now is that this Congress, Mr. Speaker, must act. There are 
many people who are depending upon us to come up with a reasonable plan 
so that they can live. While we are about the business of protecting 
our country against outside forces, we have to make sure that we do not 
deteriorate from the inside. These are people who have given their 
blood, sweat, and tears to lift up this great country; and they are in 
their senior years. It is a time when they should be resting and 
relaxing and feeling comfortable about their lives, but they are coming 
to a point where they are not only losing their dignity, but slowly but 
surely losing their lives.
  So I am hoping, Mr. Speaker, that we will take the words of those 
seniors who are not only in the Seventh Congressional District of 
Maryland, but those seniors who are throughout our entire country 
waiting and praying that we will take action.
  Last but not least, I have often said, Mr. Speaker, that we have one 
life to live, and that this is no dress rehearsal. This so happens to 
be that life. I think it should be our goal to bring the very best life 
to our very, very valued citizens, the very best life that we can.
  After all, this is one of the greatest countries in this world, and 
we should treat our seniors in a way that reflects the greatness of our 
country.

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