In January, Ross introduced the Medicare Drug and Service Coverage Act (HR 3626), designed to provide a voluntary, but guaranteed, Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit for all seniors.  The Democrats in their plan have incorporated a number of provisions similar to Ross’s bill that make medicine affordable for all seniors and that take on the big drug manufacturers.

Ross stated, “From day one in office, I have made prescription drug coverage for seniors a personal priority and have fought hard to steer Congress in the same direction.  The plan that the Democrats have put forth, like the legislation I introduced earlier this year, will finally modernize Medicare to include a meaningful prescription drug benefit for all seniors.

“The big drug manufacturers were listed as the most profitable industry in the nation last year.  It is wrong that the highest profiting industry in America is one that relies on customers with some of the lowest incomes, our senior citizens.  Senior citizens account for 42 cents of every dollar spent on prescription drugs in the United States.  Our seniors simply can’t afford the high costs of prescription drugs.  

“As a small town family pharmacy owner, I have literally seen senior citizens who cannot afford the medicines they need.  On many occasions, it’s a senior trying to squeeze their $400 worth of monthly medicine out of a $600 monthly Social Security check.  Unfortunately, it usually doesn’t work, and often they may end up at the doctor’s office or the hospital as a result.  

“Our health care system spends roughly $170 billion dollars every year on needless hospital and doctor visits because of people experiencing adverse drug effects often from not being able to afford their medicine or afford to take it properly.  Enacting a meaningful prescription drug benefit under Medicare will not only provide real savings for seniors, but it will cut many of these needless hospital and doctor visits that cost Medicare billions of dollars each year. 

“As a fiscal conservative, I believe we must be responsible in handling our nation’s budget.  But there are times when our government needs to step up to the plate and spend the money necessary to solve a problem and solve it right.  This is one of those times.  It’s time that we held the big drug manufacturers accountable.  It’s time that Congress united to provide meaningful prescription drug coverage for all seniors.  That is what our bill is all about.” 

Like Ross’s earlier bill, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and Discount Act calls for a 20 percent co-payment from beneficiaries for their medicines, with Medicare covering the remaining 80 percent.  It gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to use Medicare’s collective bargaining power to negotiate rebates and lower prices from drug manufacturers.  It allows for the implementation of other measures to reduce costs such as encouraging the use of generic drugs and providing medicine management services to ensure that seniors are taking their medicines properly.  And it gives seniors the freedom to choose their medicines and their hometown pharmacy.

Other important provisions highlighted in the Democratic plan include a $25 dollar monthly premium, a low $100 annual deductible, a $2000 maximum out-of-pocket limit per beneficiary per year (Medicare would pay 100 percent of the costs beyond that amount), and no premium or co-pay for low-income seniors up to 150 percent of the poverty level.

Co-sponsors of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and Discount Act are Ross; Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee; and Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA).