[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG NEGOTIATION ACT OF 2007

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, seniors, individuals with disabilities 
and the taxpayers of America were done a disservice in 2003 when the 
Medicare Prescription Drug legislation passed with a provision that 
prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating 
with drug manufacturers for lower prescription drug prices. 
Representatives Emerson, Rangel, Porter and I are introducing the 
Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act of 2007 today to help 
seniors get the lowest prices possible on prescription medications 
under Medicare.
  This legislation removes the prohibition of the Secretary from 
negotiating lower prescription drug prices. Moreover, it requires the 
Secretary to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices in Medicare 
without restricting access to any medications.
  Drug prices under the Medicare prescription drug plan are more than 
80 percent higher than prices negotiated by other agencies in the 
Federal government and more than 60 percent higher than prices in 
Canada. And this year the prices for each of the top five most popular 
drugs taken by seniors have gone up.
  Currently, each of the 1200 plus prescription drug plans can use its 
volume of enrollees as leverage to purchase at bulk and other discount 
rates from drug companies. The Government, however, cannot do the same 
on behalf of Medicare's 40 million beneficiaries. We are now requiring 
that the Secretary do just that.
  This simple legislation could save billions in prescription drug 
costs, premiums, and cost sharing for the millions of Medicare 
beneficiaries. It leaves the details up to the Secretary of HHS, who 
has the necessary experience and expertise to secure lower prescription 
drug prices. This bill has the support of the AARP, Consumer's Union 
and the AFL-CIO.
  It is time we put the best interests of Medicare beneficiaries ahead 
of those of the drug companies. Seniors are clamoring for relief, and 
Americans overwhelmingly support having the Secretary of HHS negotiate 
for lower prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare. The Medicare 
Prescription Drug Negotiation Act of 2007 is specifically designed to 
correct the shortfalls of the flawed 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug 
legislation and to provide affordable prescription drugs to Medicare 
beneficiaries.

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