[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10545]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        MEDICARE MODERNIZATION AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACT OF 2002

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 23, 2002, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the 
Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002. As I go 
around my district and talk with seniors, this is one of the top issues 
that they have for us in Congress, to get a prescription drug coverage 
within Medicare. This bill is long overdue, and it is very important 
for our seniors. We need a comprehensive prescription drug benefit 
under Medicare, and this bill delivers exactly that.
  No senior should have to choose between groceries and medical care. 
This plan gives our seniors immediate relief from the rising costs of 
prescription drug medications by providing a 30 percent discount off 
the top of their overall prescription drug bill. We guarantee coverage 
for all seniors who want it in Medicare.
  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that 95 percent 
of seniors will voluntarily sign up for this benefit. So this is a 
program that will work that we are putting forth for seniors and that 
we expect to be beneficial to them.
  In addition to the immediate discount and basic insurance coverage, 
which combined should save the average senior about half of their costs 
for prescription drugs, we are also providing a 100 percent 
prescription drug coverage for low-income seniors to make sure that 
those most in need can have the medicines they need to stay healthy.
  We also have catastrophic protection, at a $5,000 level or so, that 
will ensure that individuals do not have to deplete their lifetime 
savings and do not have to choose between other basic necessities in 
life and pharmaceuticals.

                              {time}  1115

  We also offer more Medicare choices and savings. Many Americans 
already have coverage. Most seniors have prescription drug coverage, 
but this bill is put forth to be a base upon which other plans can 
build upon to provide stronger coverage for seniors.
  We are very hopeful that we can get this passed in the House and 
enacted into law. Continuing the tradition of making important 
legislation temporary, the majority in the other body recently 
introduced a bill that expires after 10 years. That is unfair to our 
seniors, Mr. Speaker. Our approach helps seniors now and permanently 
into the future. Our plan is affordable and is intended to cover all 
seniors. The choice is clear. I strongly support passage of this bill, 
and I urge Members to do the same.

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