[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 76 (Thursday, June 3, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H3725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ALLOWING SENIORS ACCESS TO DRUG REIMPORTATION

  (Mr. SANDLIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, the new drug discount card is nothing more 
than the old bait and switch. The Republican leadership continues to 
try to trick our seniors into thinking they are getting a Medicare 
prescription drug benefit, while in reality offering nothing more than 
an 18-month sham program that fails to offer any significant savings to 
seniors. Not surprisingly, this temporary program prioritizes the 
pharmaceutical companies' profit over the health care expenses of our 
Nation's seniors.
  While the administration has claimed that these cards will have 
savings ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent, there is no guarantee of 
this; and there is absolutely no control over the prices charged.
  Additionally, the drug companies determine what drugs to discount and 
how much seniors pay. And while seniors are locked into a drug card for 
a full year, the drug companies are at liberty to change what discounts 
they offer from week to week. As a matter of fact, some have already 
changed their drug prices so that it does not cut into their bottom 
line.
  The truth is that a better solution with real benefits is available. 
With drug costs increasing at 3.5 times the rate of inflation, we owe 
it to our Nation's seniors to finally allow them access to drug 
reimportation.
  It is time to do the right thing and offer real savings to our 
seniors. We cannot afford not to do so.

                          ____________________