[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         AMERICA'S SENIORS WANT GUARANTEED ACCESS TO MEDICINES

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, left to the Republican sham 
prescription drug bill, our parents, including individuals with 
disabilities, will find themselves at the mercy of private HMOs having 
to search for a plan. America's seniors want guaranteed access to the 
medicines their doctors prescribe at prices they can afford, and they 
depend on that guarantee for help and for life.
  The only bill on the floor today guarantees no prescription drug 
benefit. The plan the Republicans are trying to force on this country 
does nothing to curb soaring drug prices, not enough to restore 
provider payments and does everything to benefit private insurance 
companies.
  Our plan, the Dingell bill, honors our responsibilities to this 
Nation's seniors, gives them coverage for any drug their doctor 
prescribes, and guarantees that beneficiaries always have coverage, 
with lower monthly premiums and a lower out-of-pocket maximum. Our plan 
beats theirs any day and in any way. That is why we are being denied a 
chance to offer it.
  That is not fair to us, their colleagues, and it disrespects those 
who sent us here; but it is most unfair to the seniors and their 
families who need real help with medication now.

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