[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3272-S3273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        LIVING STRONGER, LONGER

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize National Public 
Health Week and its important theme of ``Living Stronger, Longer.'' 
Today, seniors are leading active and healthy lifestyles unmatched by 
previous generations. They are working longer, eating better, and 
utilizing medical advances that detect and treat illnesses before it is 
too late. But as our aging population doubles within the next decade, 
new challenges await us in ensuring that supply can meet an increasing 
demand.
  This week marks the 10th Annual National Public Health Week, focusing 
on Living Stronger, Longer. I am proud to join the organizations 
involved that advocate for seniors every day and bring vital issues to 
the forefront during this week-long public information campaign 
promoting long and healthy lives for all Americans.
  Public health advancements and new treatment options are enabling 
Americans to live longer and longer, but many older Americans still 
continue to suffer from preventable and treatable health problems such 
as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Americans can 
prevent and treat many of the common health problems that hinder the 
enjoyment of later years if they have access to affordable health care.
  I know that as I travel throughout Wisconsin, speaking to seniors' 
groups and individuals, I often hear their concerns about the rising 
costs of health care and prescription drugs. As the lead Democrat on 
the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I am committed to protecting 
seniors' access to quality health care and I am committed to making 
sure that Medicare is preserved as a vital health program for seniors.
  One of the key components to living longer, healthier lives is access 
to lifesaving prescription drugs. I have long been concerned about the 
high cost of prescription drugs, which can make it hard for 
Wisconsinites to afford the medicines they need to stay healthy. Today, 
Americans pay substantially higher prices for the same medicines that 
are far less expensive in many other countries. It is not fair to ask 
Americans to pay higher prices for the same medicines that cost a 
fraction of the price in other countries. That is why I support 
legislation to allow Americans to take advantage of lower drug prices 
found in other countries by legalizing the importation of FDA-approved 
drugs from other countries. I also support legislation to change a 
troublesome feature of the new Medicare prescription drug law that 
prohibits the Government from utilizing the tremendous purchasing power 
of the Medicare Program to reduce prices.
  I am also concerned about the rising premiums seniors are facing in 
the Medicare Program. In addition to lowering the cost of prescription 
drugs, I will also continue to fight inefficiencies in Medicare and 
work to make Medicare affordable and fair for all Wisconsin seniors.
  But there also benefits that are available through Medicare that 
seniors simply are not utilizing. In fact, one in three older Americans 
do not get all recommended screenings. In Wisconsin, only 44.4 percent 
of men and 40.6 percent of women 65 and older are getting the selected 
preventive services provided, recommended, and covered by Medicare. We 
need to encourage seniors to take advantage of the opportunities that 
are available to take the steps necessary to stay strong and healthy 
longer.
  We are lucky enough to live in the most medically and economically 
advanced country in the world, where we have the ability to protect our 
citizens, prevent illness and disease, and plan ahead for a more 
prosperous future. There is work to be done, but as long as we can work 
together, solutions can be obtained and Americans' quality of life 
improved for generations to come.

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