[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     MAKING SURE SENIORS GET AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, prescription drug coverage is 
an important issue for American seniors, and Republicans have a plan 
for those that need coverage to keep it and those who need it to get 
it.
  This is in stark contrast to the President's plan. Democrats and the 
President willingly admit their plan will drive employers out of the 
market. To stop this, the Democrats bribe employers to keep the 
coverage they already offer. This just does not make sense. Rather than 
pay employers to do something they are already doing, I suggest we set 
the funds aside to actually get drug coverage to America's seniors. The 
Republican plan accomplishes that task.
  Medicare beneficiaries deserve choices, not a one-size-fits-all 
program that wastes money. This Congress must take its responsibility 
seriously and make sure that seniors can get affordable prescription 
drugs when they need them. Now is the time.

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