FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, July 31,
2002 |
Contact: |
HHS Press Office (202)
690-6343
|
STATEMENT BY
HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
REGARDING THE FAILURE OF
THE SENATE TO PASS
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG LEGISLATION
While it is disappointing that the Senate was unable to
pass Medicare prescription drug legislation before its August recess, we
strongly encourage Senators to come together to get the job done upon their
return after Labor Day. Meaningful prescription drug coverage for seniors is a
critically important issue that the Senate cannot fail to address. The
Administration believes that the Tripartisan proposal, the House-passed bill,
and an improved Hagel-Ensign proposal provide clear evidence that the Senate can
do far better than spending $400 billion for a drug benefit that leaves out many
millions of seniors and does nothing to improve the coverage options available
to seniors. We hope the Senate will continue to work to pass a Medicare drug
benefit that provides real value to seniors and to the Medicare program.
The Administration has consistently urged Congressional action to strengthen
Medicare and provide an overdue Medicare prescription drug benefit, to provide
better and more up-to-date coverage options for all seniors and persons with
disabilities. The Administration believes that Medicare drug coverage must be
innovative and able to adapt to improvements in medical practice, so that
seniors will never again have to wait for decades to get access to the medical
coverage they need. To keep Medicare benefits, including prescription drugs,
secure and to keep health care affordable for seniors, the Administration also
believes that a drug benefit must be provided efficiently.
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Last revised: July 31, 2002