[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA

  (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, my mother was an extraordinary woman. There 
is no doubt that Medicare helped her live the last of her 94 years with 
dignity and mostly independence. However, despite having one son as a 
doctor, one as a pharmaceutical executive and one as a Member of 
Congress, our family still struggled to meet her needs. As a Member of 
this body, I felt helpless and almost ashamed to know that there are 
millions more like her forced to decide between food and medicine each 
month.
  I am proud now to be a part of this inspired and honest effort to 
make a difference in the lives America's elderly and disabled.
  Although mother is gone now, I can still make a difference for her 
sister, my 91-year-old Aunt Mary. She fell into the part D doughnut 
hole and paid thousands of dollars a month for her medications. It is 
an outrage that my aunt and millions of Americans are paying record 
prices while drug companies are reporting record profits.
  Giving Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices is a monumental 
first step. I hope it is just the beginning of expanding every 
American's access to quality and affordable health care.
  I urge you all to think of your mothers and aunts when you cast your 
vote for H.R. 4. Do this for every one of your constituents who has to 
decide between meals and medicine and show America that we are all 
dedicated to a new direction.

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