[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MODERNIZATION REFORM ACT

  (Ms. DUNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, later this week, we will pass a prescription 
drug benefit for all seniors in Medicare that is affordable and 
voluntary. We will protect the poorest seniors by helping pay for their 
drug costs immediately. By using the same principles already used by 
private companies, we will lower drug costs for seniors by passing 
along to them bigger discounts from manufacturers.
  We will also strengthen Medicare for future generations by providing 
preventive care such as cholesterol screening and initial physical 
exams, and chronic care management for seniors with serious and 
complicated illnesses.
  We can only strengthen Medicare's future if we are able to ensure 
access to the services that seniors need today. In this Medicare bill, 
we increase payments to doctors and hospitals, especially in the rural 
communities, so that seniors can get better health services when they 
are needed.
  For much too long, our parents and our grandparents have paid too 
much for their drugs. We have an opportunity now to change this, by 
passing a prescription drug bill for all seniors.

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