[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 20063-20064]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    REPUBLICANS PAD THE PROFIT MARGINS OF DRUG COMPANIES IN FLAWED 
                         PRESCRIPTION DRUG LAW

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, there is no question where the loyalty 
of Washington Republicans rests when it comes to prescription drug 
coverage for America's seniors. Their loyalty rests in the boardrooms 
of the Nation's huge pharmaceutical companies.

[[Page 20064]]

  One need only look to last Friday for proof. In pharmacies around the 
country, many seniors heard the bad news. Their drug purchases would 
not be covered under Medicare part D because they had reached the 
``donut hole.'' These seniors lost coverage because they had already 
spent $2,250 on their prescriptions, and they won't qualify again until 
their expenses reach $5,100 for the year.
  I heard from my constituent, Pauline, who said: ``I'm sure somewhere 
along the way the `donut hole' phenomenon was described, but obviously 
was passed over in the tons of Medicare D explanations. All I know is 
that last month what I paid was $20 and it now costs me $96, and that 
was only on one prescription. What adds insult to injury is that we 
must now pay the premium, too, while we lose our benefits. Prior to 
Medicare part D, it was costing me approximately $400 for all my 
prescriptions; so I am now faced with full freight, inflated pharmacy 
bills due to the `donut hole.'''
  Actually, Pauline will never get out of the donut hole. It is really 
a black hole for her.
  So shame on Congress, Mr. Speaker, if it recesses before requiring 
the Secretary of HHS to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices 
for seniors and persons with disabilities.

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