[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 25879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) is recognized for 5 minutes.

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, beginning on April 12, for the 21 weeks 
that the House has been in session, I have read 22 letters from MI 
seniors who desperately need help with their high prescription drug 
costs.
  In that time, I have been pushing consistently for prescription drug 
coverage under Medicare. Our time is nearly up, and we still have not 
passed this important legislation.
  Looking back through the 22 letters that I have read on the House 
floor, I am reminded of why it is so important to modernize Medicare 
and provide prescription drug coverage for seniors. I would like to 
share excerpts from these letters to remind my colleagues why we must 
enact a Medicare prescription drug benefit.
  From Mary Hudson of Fenton: ``Last summer, I went to a doctor . . . 
and was given a prescription costing $44--which I got filled. But the 
other was $90--which I would not [fill]. Who can afford these prices 
and pay other bills too?''
  From Ethel Corn of Marquette: ``Here is our prescription bill for 
what we can afford--and you can see I don't get all of mine.''
  Jackie Billion of Lansing: ``Quite often I have to decide whether I 
get some of my prescriptions or eat. I hope and pray that seniors will 
receive prescription coverage.''
  From Louise Jarnac of Cheboygan: ``The last time I got my 
prescription it was $99.99 . . . this time it was $103.49. Most of the 
time I can't afford it and go without until I can get it again.''

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