[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MEANINGFUL SAVINGS FOR SENIORS UNDER HOUSE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN

  (Mr. BOOZMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a Medicare 
prescription drug benefit that provides immediate, meaningful savings 
for American seniors.
  The Department of Health and Human Services released a study 
yesterday that stated the House Republican plan will give seniors a 60 
percent to 85 percent savings per prescription and cut their out-of-
pocket costs by as much as 70 percent.
  This same HHS study confirmed that our plan creates a fiscally 
responsible benefit that results in immediate savings for American 
seniors. The study backs us up by pointing out that the Democrats plan 
does not help seniors until 2005. That is too long to wait, as this 
relief cannot come soon enough. Twelve million do not have prescription 
drug coverage at all.
  Quality health care for seniors should not end when they turn 65. Our 
proposal would deliver 21st century prescription drug coverage by 
providing a voluntary, affordable prescription drug benefit as a 
permanent entitlement to Medicare beneficiaries.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this proposal that will save 
seniors across the country money on their prescription drug bills.

                          ____________________