[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16271]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         MEDICARE MODERNIZATION

  (Mr. FORBES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a comprehensive 
prescription drug benefit for all seniors. The Prescription Drug and 
Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 will guarantee prescription drug 
coverage to all our seniors and future generations. I firmly belief 
that no senior should be forced to choose between putting food on the 
table or buying the medicines they need. The Prescription Drug and 
Medicare Modernization Act would build on the strengths and successes 
of the current Medicare system while guaranteeing that all seniors will 
have access to a prescription drug benefit.
  Just the other day the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
released a study which says that seniors will get an up-front drug 
discount of 25 percent. That is a significant savings for many of the 
seniors in my district. The reforms in this legislation will put 
patients before paperwork and ensure that doctors will continue to 
serve seniors through Medicare. The House has acted in the past and 
will work with the Senate to provide affordable, voluntary coverage for 
every senior immediately. Let us pass this important legislation. Our 
seniors have waited too long for this much-needed relief.

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