[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS ARE ``OUT OF BOUNDS'' FOR SENIORS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on June 27, 2003, this House of 
Representatives passed a poor excuse for a solution to the Medicare 
prescription drug crisis. The Medicare Prescription Drug and 
Modernization Act of 2003 provides minimal benefits to our Nation's 
disabled and senior citizens and fails to address the underlying 
problem of skyrocketing prescription drug costs.
  On July 9, Families USA released a report appropriately called ``Out 
of Bounds: Rising Prescription Drug Prices for Seniors.'' Between 
January 2002 and January 2003, the price of the 50 drugs most commonly 
used by seniors rose at three-and-a-half times the rate of inflation. 
With the Republican prescription drug plan, these rising prescription 
drug costs will continue to restrict patient access to much needed 
medications.
  What is the solution to these skyrocketing drug prices? We must hold 
the pharmaceutical companies accountable! The cost disparity between 
identical prescription drugs sold in the United States, Canada, and 
Mexico must be eliminated. Generic drugs, whose prices grow far more 
slowly than brand name drugs, must be allowed to quickly enter the 
market. Drug companies must begin to hold the welfare of patients above 
the richness of their own pocketbooks.
  Until we convince pharmaceutical companies to treat our senior 
citizens justly, Congress must take action. A fall-back prescription 
drug benefit must be offered through Medicare, which would have the 
power to negotiate drug prices. We must allow drugs to be re-imported 
from Canada. Members of Congress must be held accountable for the 
prescription drug benefits we give to seniors. We must urge the 
conferees to maintain in the final bill Senator Mark Dayton's amendment 
which calls for Members of Congress to receive comparable prescription 
drug benefits to those of Medicare beneficiaries.
  Members of Congress, I urge you, do not allow the well-being of our 
Nation's seniors to be controlled by the greedy hands of the 
pharmaceutical industry. Take a stand and fight for our Nation's 
disabled and seniors.