“I am very excited to be working with the Speaker and my colleagues on this important initiative,” said Congressman Portman.  “Prescription drugs are vital to the quality of life for millions of seniors, and seniors need to have a prescription drug benefit as part of the Medicare program.”

At a press conference today, the Speaker’s Prescription Drug Action Team unveiled four principles that will be embodied in its legislation to create a Medicare prescription drug benefit.  Those principles are: lower the costs of prescription drugs now; guarantee all senior citizens prescription drug coverage; improve Medicare with more choices and more savings; and strengthen Medicare for the future.

“Our Medicare principles are based on common sense and the overwhelming need most seniors have for affordable prescription drugs.  No senior should have to choose between buying food and buying their prescription drugs.  We’re going to develop a plan that will make sure prescription drugs are affordable for all seniors,” said Portman. 

This spring, the House passed a budget blueprint to provide $350 billion over the next ten years to help strengthen Medicare and develop a Medicare prescription drug plan.  Over the course of the next month, the Speaker’s Prescription Drug Action Team will work to develop legislation that will create an affordable and voluntary prescription drug benefit that will be available to all Medicare beneficiaries.

“The rising cost of prescription drugs is putting a pinch on too many seniors.  Our Medicare prescription drug plan will benefit every senior, so that all will have access to the cutting-edge, life-saving medicines that they need,” said Congressman Portman.