[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11872]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENIORS NEED A SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG 
                                BENEFIT

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, American seniors know that the 
Republican prescription drug plan that took effect earlier this year is 
deeply flawed. The plan is complex and confusing, unfair and 
unreliable.
  This is not the plan seniors wanted. They didn't ask for a plan that 
forced them to go outside of Medicare to choose from dozens of private 
insurance plans, or a plan that creates a giant gap in coverage that 
leaves them with no benefits but still requires them to pay monthly 
premiums.
  They didn't ask for a plan that slaps those who haven't yet selected 
a plan with a penalty that stays with them the rest of their lives.
  Democrats believe it is time that seniors receive a simple and 
affordable drug plan. We can make prescription drugs more affordable by 
giving Medicare the ability to negotiate lower prices with the drug 
companies just like the Veterans Administration does. We can make the 
plan simpler and more cost effective, creating a plan within the 
current Medicare system.
  Mr. Speaker, Democrats are not satisfied with the status quo. We will 
fight to do more to help our seniors afford their prescription drugs.

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