[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H3235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DISCOUNT DRUG CARD IS A FARCE

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleagues on the 
Republican side talk about the discount drug card, so-called, that goes 
into effect June 1. It is such a farce.
  First of all, there is no drug benefit. We all know that. They have 
postponed that to sometime 2 years from now, in 2006, when you will 
actually have to put out more money than the benefit you would get, so 
nobody would sign up for it anyway. But what a farce these cards are.
  In my district in New Jersey, you can already get most of these 
cards. You do not even need to go through the Federal Government.
  In addition to that, if you look on this Web site and it shows you 
that there is a lower price, well, if you look and compare with other 
Internet sites, the prices are usually lower in other Internet sites. 
You do not even need the drug card.
  In addition to that, the price can change. Whatever price is on that 
Web site, a week later they can change the price and simply raise it.
  In addition, my constituents have been complaining about how they go 
to a particular pharmacy, they will not even take the card.
  I have never seen so much chaos. Seniors are disgusted by this 
proposal. It is just a bureaucratic nightmare. It gives them no 
discount whatsoever and no benefit.

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