[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     NEW BILL BRINGS HOPE TO SENIORS FACING SKYROCKETING DRUG BILLS

  (Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, for years, seniors have 
been saying that they need help with their prescription drug bills. 
None of us anticipated prescription drugs would be the backbone of 
modern medicine, and we certainly did not anticipate that the cost 
would be so high.
  I am proud of this new bill that has just emerged which brings a new 
hope to all seniors who face skyrocketing drug prices. The Medicare 
Modernization and Prescription Drug Act will ensure that all Medicare 
beneficiaries will be covered.
  Not only that, but those who want to stay with their current coverage 
may do that as well. For as little as just over $1 a day, seniors will 
have the ability to choose among plans to find what works best for 
their prescription drug needs. Additionally, seniors will enjoy 
immediate savings through a prescription drug discount card which will 
be accepted by local pharmacies.
  These are just two major components of this groundbreaking new drug 
bill, and I am glad Congress has answered seniors' call for help.

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