[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Chairman Thomas' 
willingness to clarify that FEHBP plans will be able to take advantage 
of the subsidies in H.R. 1. However, I have another concern that 
Federal employees are often treated differently from current Federal 
employees in ways that are not always equitable. For example, current 
employees are allowed to pay their health insurance premiums from pre-
tax dollars; retirees are not. I know this concern is shared by a 
number of my colleagues, but specifically Jo Ann Davis, Chair of the 
Civil Service Subcommittee. I am pleased Mrs. Davis will soon be taking 
up that specific issue in her subcommittee.
  FEHBP currently does not provide different benefits for retirees and 
current employees--one simply is a member of FEHBP. I believe it is 
important this dynamic remain, once a Medicare prescription drug 
benefit is put in place. As Chairman of the Government Reform 
Committee, I look at this from an employer's perspective. We do not 
want private employers to drop the prescription drug coverage they 
provide for their retirees. H.R. 1 includes incentives so they will not 
do so. However, we as the Federal Government must lead by example.
  Along with Chairwoman Davis, Frank Wolf, and Jim Moran, I have 
introduced legislation that simply states that Federal retirees will 
remain on par with current employees when it comes to prescription drug 
benefits. I regret we were unable to include this language in H.R. 1, 
but am grateful to have the commitment of Speaker Hastert and Leader 
Delay to bring this bill to the floor as soon as we return from recess.

                          ____________________