[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8466]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS

  (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, America is the most prosperous 
Nation on Earth and yet some seniors are forced to choose between 
putting food on the table and the prescription drugs they need to lead 
healthy and productive lives. That is just not right.
  Republicans are working to make sure that is a choice seniors no 
longer have to make. While I share the goal of President Clinton and 
Democrats in Congress, their proposal may endanger existing drug 
coverage that some seniors already have.

                              {time}  1015

  It could give the Federal government too heavy a hand in controlling 
drug benefits and deny seniors the right to select the coverage that 
best fits their needs.
  Republicans have a voluntary plan to make prescription drug coverage 
affordable and available to American seniors. Republicans are working 
to protect seniors from runaway drug costs so that their retirement 
remains secure and they have greater peace of mind. That is a brighter 
future for every American.

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