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Graham Reacts to Passage of House Prescription
Drug Plan
June 28, 2002
WASHINGTON (June 28, 2002) - Senator Bob Graham, D-Florida, today
commented on the early morning passage of the House Republican prescription drug
plan. Graham is the main sponsor, along with Senators Zell Miller, D-Georgia,
and Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, of the Senate Democratic prescription drug
proposal, S. 2625.
"I am pleased that the House passed a prescription drug bill, but am
concerned that the plan has some gimmicks, gaps, and gotchas that will not help
America's seniors.
"House Republicans will not only force seniors to spend thousands of
dollars out of their own pockets because of the gap in coverage, but will put
our seniors into an untested delivery system. Putting our seniors through such a
laboratory experiment would be setting the program up for failure.
"I am quite comfortable letting seniors decide between the House-passed
bill and our Senate proposal, which is based on a tried and true delivery system
- giving our seniors consistent coverage, reliable copays and no deductibles.
"The Senate is due to take up our prescription drug legislation in July.
I think there are some responsible ways to approach a compromise, and I look
forward to doing so and seeing the best bill possible signed into law in the
White House rose garden."
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