[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PAUL WELLSTONE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
concerns with a provision contained in H.R. 1424, the ``Paul Wellstone 
Mental Health Addiction and Equity Act of 2007.'' I find it ironic that 
the House passed a bill intending to provide access to treatment for 
those with mental illnesses, but did so at the expense of the 
pharmaceutical researchers who we look to treat many of these 
conditions.
  This legislation provides for more than a 30-percent increase in 
Medicaid prescription drug rebates. This will do significant damage to 
domestic manufacturers. You read the headlines--one pharmaceutical 
company after another is laying off thousands of employees. This 
industry, like so many others in manufacturing, is facing significant 
challenges. We want these companies to continue to invest in America 
and create the research jobs, which find tomorrow's cures. We want to 
continue to be known as the innovators of the world, and we should not 
out source this intellectual capital. Therefore, I urge that the bill's 
sponsors strike this provision from the bill at conference committee 
and look to find solutions that do not jeopardize American jobs.

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