[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H4967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NEGOTIABLE DRUG PRICES

  (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it has been 6 months since the Republican 
prescription drug plan went into effect, and we are seeing prices shoot 
up faster than they have in 6 years. That's right, prices have 
increased by almost 4 percent in the last 6 months. Weren't Republicans 
promising prices would actually go down after their plan took effect?
  The reason drug prices are not falling is because the Republican law 
forbids the Federal Government from using the purchasing power of 40 
million seniors to actually negotiate for lower prices, an issue I 
raised when this prescription drug plan was first taken up by this 
House. That is exactly what the Veterans Administration does for 
America's veterans.
  According to a report released last month, veterans' drug bills are 
43 percent lower than seniors' bills as a result.
  Well, today, thanks to a Republican plan that was written here in the 
back rooms by the pharmaceutical industry, these companies can charge 
our seniors any price they want. Unlike our Republican colleagues, 
House Democrats actually want to help our seniors. We want to give the 
Federal Government the ability to negotiate for lower prices, something 
that is good for our seniors and good for the American taxpayer.

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