[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              FIX COVERAGE GAP IN MEDICARE PART D COVERAGE

  (Mrs. HALVORSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. HALVORSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the urgent need 
to fix the coverage gap in Medicare part D's prescription benefit plan, 
especially as we take up health care reform legislation this year.
  The coverage gap, better known as the ``doughnut hole,'' is getting 
worse each year. This gap is tied to health care costs, which are 
increasing at a rate much faster than inflation. In fact, the costs for 
people that fall into the doughnut hole are expected to more than 
double by 2016. In my State of Illinois, 32 percent of Medicare part D 
beneficiaries fall into this gap, and only a small fraction ever make 
it out.
  Mr. Speaker, in America, no senior should have to choose between 
their meals and their medication. If we don't solve this issue, this 
situation will only continue to get worse. We must take the time to 
address this serious gap in coverage for our seniors.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue as we 
continue the health care reform debate.

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