Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) applauded the Medicare
prescription drug benefit plan unveiled today by Democrats in the U.S.
House of Representatives. The proposal is very similar to Sanders’s
proposal from April of 2001. Sanders said “The House Democrats have put
together a very strong benefits package that would ensure that America’s
seniors get the long overdue assistance they deserve to help them afford
their prescription drugs.”
Sanders praised the Democrats for unveiling a plan that has a low
deductible, low premiums, a high benefit, strong catastrophic coverage,
and lower premiums for low-income seniors. Sanders said, “The Democrats’
new proposal includes a benefits package that stands in stark contrast to
the make-believe, smoke-and-mirrors non-benefit in the Republican
proposal. The Democratic plan incorporates virtually all the benefits I
put forth in legislation in 2001 and they are to be praised for designing
a genuine benefit for America’s seniors.”
However, Sanders expressed concern regarding the lack of
cost-containment provisions in the bill. “While we work to provide a
meaningful benefit for our seniors, we must be responsible. We cannot let
our Medicare program be fleeced by the astronomical prices charged by the
pharmaceutical industry,” Sanders said. “I have put forward serious and
reasonable cost-containment proposals that would reduce the cost of a
Medicare prescription drug benefit.” Sanders continued, “America’s seniors
are angry about the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. The
Democrats should listen to their senior constituents and incorporate
strong cost-containment measures into their legislation.”
The bill introduced by Sanders in April 2001, H.R. 1512, the Medicare
Extension of Drugs to Seniors Act of 2001, includes a strong benefit
package, as well as important cost-containment provisions. These
cost-containment measures include language providing for reimportation of
prescription drugs from countries where many drugs are available for
30-70% less than on the U.S. market, as well as a reasonable pricing
requirement for drugs developed with taxpayers money.
Sander concluded, “The House Democrats have put forward a strong
benefit package that will provide meaningful relief to our nations
seniors. I urge the Democrats to take the final step and incorporate
responsible cost-containment measures to pay for it.”
For More Information:
Visit the PRESCRIPTIONS
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Contact:
Joel Barkin at (202) 225-4115
