[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Health and Human Services 
rolled out a new Medicare drug card. Yet, today, seniors across America 
are still wondering when we in Congress will take real steps to help 
them afford the drugs they need and are prescribed.
  The manufactured chaos, confusion and consternation all could have 
been avoided. This mess was created by their government and by the 
special interests, but we have an opportunity to open markets and allow 
for importation of safe, affordable drugs from Canada and Europe, where 
prices are 50 percent cheaper than they are here in the United States; 
real competition to bring prices down, not competition by the special 
interests between themselves, but competition that allows seniors the 
choice to pick on affordable prices that are 50 percent cheaper than 
what they are in Canada and Europe. We need that competition here at 
home.
  A Families USA study showed that seniors in America pay four times 
the rate of inflation for prescription drugs. Prices have gone up 22 
percent in the last 3 years alone.
  This discount card is just like a sale at Neiman Marcus. Prices get 
jacked up 30 percent right before they offer you a 10 percent discount. 
We need to allow seniors access to affordable drugs their doctors 
prescribe.

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