[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 19 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Pages 1047-1048]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

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.
    * White House correction.
    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.

[[Page 1048]]

    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 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 know 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.