FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 12, 2002

CONTACT: Jennifer Laudano Kati Anderson (202) 628-3030

SENIOR AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH ONLINE ACTION CENTER TO GIVE PEOPLE A VOICE IN THE FIGHT FOR FAIR DRUG PRICES

Washington, DC-As the battle for a prescription drug benefit in Medicare heats up, senior and health groups joined together today to launch an online action center, http://www.fairdrugprices.org/. This Web site will give people the opportunity for their voices to be heard on Capitol Hill in the fight for fair, affordable prescription drugs and prescription drug coverage in Medicare.

"With more than one pharmaceutical lobbyist for every member of Congress, it is critical for consumers, who are directly affected by the high cost of prescription drugs, to weigh in on this important battle," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.

Through this Web site, consumers will be able to send a letter to their member of Congress urging them to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, sign an online petition, and share their personal stories about struggling to afford their prescription drugs.

"Drug prices continue to skyrocket and more and more seniors and people with disabilities are paying the lion's share of the cost. The American people cannot afford to wait any longer. Congress must fight for fair drug prices and add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare now more than ever," said Pollack.

The co-sponsors of this Web site as of the launch date of June 12th besides Families USA and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare are the following groups: ACORN; AFL-CIO; Alliance for Retired Americans; American Association of People with Disabilities; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; American Federation of Teachers Program on Retirement and Retirees; Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc; CFIDS Association of America; Coalition on Human Needs; Consumers Union; NAADC The Association for Addiction Professionals; National Health Law Program; National Partnership for Women and Families; National Senior Citizens Law Center; OWL, the voice of midlife and older women; Prescription Action Litigation Project; Service Employees International Union; and USAction.

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality affordable health care for all Americans.