[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 24295]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      SENIORS DEMAND GUARANTEED MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there is a difference, and I 
am glad my colleague just called for a bipartisan approach to solving 
the problems for all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just ask my colleague to pose the question to 
senior citizens throughout this country: Do they want the opportunity 
to dial up their HMO or pharmaceutical company and beg for an 
opportunity to buy low-cost prescription drugs, or do they want a 
guaranteed benefit by Medicare? I venture to say that my seniors who 
have seen HMOs close their doors in their community, who are crying out 
for health care, would argue: ``Give me a guaranteed Medicare 
prescription drug benefit. One that allows me to get the same cost and 
prices that are given to our hospitals and other large institutions.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. Give them an opportunity to pay their 
rent and buy their food and still have good health care. I hope my 
colleagues see the light and are willing to pass a real prescription 
drug benefit, a real Patients' Bill of Rights that allows the patient-
physician relationship to be restored and for HMOs to find their place.
  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, it is a shame, too, that we cannot pass a hate 
crimes bill.

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