    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 10, 2000]
    [Pages 879-880]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Legislation
    May 10, 2000

        The President  Well, good morning. Please be seated. I'm sorry you
    had to stand up so long, but that's the fastest one group of politicians
    ever walked through another group. [Laughter] I'm delighted to see you
    all here. I want to thank Senator Daschle
    and Senator Gephardt and their
    colleagues, Secretary Shalala, the Older
    Women's League,* those who represent the aging/disability consumer, and
    other health advocates who are here. I want to thank Betty Dizik, who will talk in a moment to explain what this is
    really all about.
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        *White House correction.
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        We are here together today to announce the support of the Democratic
    caucus in the Senate and the House for legislation to provide affordable
    prescription drug coverage for every older American. For our seniors,
    prescription drugs are not a luxury; they can mean the difference
    between life and death, between years of anguish and years of
    fulfillment. At this time of historic prosperity and strength, there is
    absolutely no reason that we should force seniors to make a choice
    between their health and their food or their daily existence.
        I am profoundly grateful to Congressman Gephardt and Senator Daschle and
    their colleagues for developing an approach that the Democrats can rally
    behind. In a few moments, I will ask them to share the details of the
    efforts we will make together. But we all know we can't achieve our
    efforts without bipartisan support in the Congress. That's why, just as
    we are trying to do with the Patients' Bill of Rights, we want to reach
    across the aisle to encourage Republican support, as well.
        This can and should be a truly bipartisan effort. But I want to make
    it clear first why America's seniors and people with disabilities cannot
    afford to wait any longer for prescription drug coverage.
        Today, more than three in five older Americans lack affordable and
    dependable prescription drug coverage. The burden is getting worse.
    According to Families USA, the price of prescription drugs most often
    used by seniors has risen at double the rate of inflation for 6 years in
    a row now.
        Two groups in particular bear a tremendous burden, rural Americans
    and women. As Senator Daschle knows so
    well, people in rural areas are much less likely to secure prescription
    drug coverage. According to a study released today by the Older Women's
    League, almost 8 out of 10 women on Medicare use prescription drugs
    regularly, and most of them pay for these medications out of pocket. In
    total, women

    [[Page 880]]

    spend 13 percent more than men do for prescription drugs, in spite of
    the fact that on average, their incomes are 40 percent lower.
        America's seniors, men and women, deserve better. No one should be
    forced to take a bus trip to Canada to get medicines made in the U.S. at
    a lower price. We desperately need a comprehensive plan to provide a
    prescription drug benefit that is optional, affordable, accessible to
    all, based on competition, not price controls, to boost seniors'
    bargaining power to get the best possible price, and one that addresses
    the devastating burden of catastrophic coverage.
        We will have in our budget, especially with the improved economy,
    the funds to deal with catastrophic coverage as well, and we absolutely
    should do that.
        The budget I have presented to Congress will continue our efforts to
    pay down the debt and pay it off by 2013, will be able to provide
    protection against catastrophic costs, and will provide voluntary
    prescription drug coverage to all Americans.
        Adding the voluntary prescription drug coverage to Medicare is the
    smart and the right thing to do. I will say this one more time: We would
    never think of creating Medicare today without it, and it is high time
    we fixed it.
        Now, let me say, without getting into a fight over the legislation
    that's been proposed, I don't think it's enough to stop at $15,000
    income limit to give help on prescription drugs. Half the people who
    need the help fall within the income limits of $15,000 to $50,000. I
    don't think we should write a plan that basically is designed to please
    the people who are selling the drugs instead of the people who are
    buying the drugs.
        And as long as we are trying to make the price competition system
    work and give bargaining power to seniors, we ought to do this right and
    cover the people who need it. This is not about winning a political
    fight. It's about giving people a chance to fight for a good long life.
        And I want to introduce now Betty Dizik,
    someone who knows firsthand the enormous burdens of prescription drugs.
    She's had to make some very hard choices in order to afford the drugs
    that she desperately needs, and she is exhibit A for why we are all here
    today.
        Betty, come on up here and tell us your
    story. Give her a hand. [Applause]
        Thank you.

     [At this point, Ms. Dizik, Senator Thomas A.
    Daschle, and Representative Richard A.
    Gephardt made brief remarks.]

        The President.  Thanks to Congressman Gephardt's consideration, none of you will have to spend your hard-
    earned money to buy prescription drugs to treat your cold that you got
    from being flooded out here. [Laughter] But let me thank you,
    Betty, thank you, Secretary Shalala, and thank all the Members of Congress. Look at our
    legislation. We need some Republican support. This is a good bill. It
    will make a big difference.
        Thank you, and bless you all. Get in here before you get wet.

     Note:  The President spoke at 10:40 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Medicare recipient Betty
    Dizik.