[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 12, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 4 and urge my colleagues to support the passage of this 
legislation that will, I believe, provide lower drug prices for 
millions of Medicare beneficiaries.
  We all know that the costs of prescriptions are a huge burden on 
Americans throughout the country. That is why during past sessions of 
Congress I have cosponsored legislation to grant the HHS Secretary the 
authority to negotiate prescription drug prices. Never before, however, 
have we been this close to making the negotiating authority a reality. 
No one could be happier about this than the American people. In a 
recent poll 92 percent stated that they support the proposal to grant 
HHS negotiating authority.
  Madam Speaker, there is good reason for this overwhelming support of 
negotiating authority. Pharmaceutical companies continue to rake in 
millions while consumers are forced to face the high prices of their 
product. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
legislation and take an important step towards providing price relief 
for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.

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