[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

  (Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, last night in the Committee on 
Ways and Means we marked up the biggest change in Medicare in 37 years. 
It was a good change. What we did in the Committee on Ways and Means 
last night was provide a comprehensive prescription drug benefit for 
seniors. We recognize on both sides of the aisle that seniors have 
problems paying for their medicines.
  Medicare is an outdated program. It was written in 1965, and in 2002 
it is basically giving seniors 1965 health care. What we have 
accomplished in this committee and what we are about to accomplish in 
this Congress is to give seniors a prescription drug benefit that gives 
them the choice of plans, comprehensive benefits, catastrophic stop-
loss coverage, a discount in the price of their drugs, and coverage 
from dollar one.
  This is important, Mr. Speaker, because we also recognize the need 
that low income seniors who cannot afford deductibles and premiums have 
a fully subsidized prescription drug benefit. When the other side 
gnashes their teeth, just remember this: We are acting, we are moving, 
and we are providing a comprehensive prescription drug benefit for all 
seniors on Medicare.

                          ____________________