[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG, IMPROVEMENT, 
                     AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the conference 
agreement of H.R. 1, the Medicare and Prescription Drug bill.
  This conference agreement provides limited benefit to vulnerable low 
income senior citizens and people with disabilities. In fact, the plan 
prohibits Medicaid from filling in the gaps in the new Medicare drug 
benefit, as Medicaid does now for other benefits. Given the ongoing 
state budget crises, up to 6.4 million low-income seniors and people 
with disabilities could receive less help with their prescription drug 
costs than they do now.

  The proposed plan bows to drug industry pressure and prevents 
Medicare from negotiating better prices. It also adopts a policy that 
will prevent access to lower-cost drugs available in other countries, 
allowing drug companies profits to skyrocket at the expense of 
patients. Millions of Medicare beneficiaries will be forced to pay more 
for Medicare if they don't give up their doctor and join an HMO. 
Although the bill's proponents claim it will be limited, as many as 7 
million seniors could be forced to participate.
  Finally, the conference agreement proposes the creation of Health 
Security Accounts, which are tax shelters for the wealthy. This creates 
an unprecedented tax loophole that would undermine existing employer 
coverage and add to the ever-growing number of uninsured. These funds 
should be used to prevent employers from dropping coverage or to 
improve the drug benefit.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

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