Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - January 12, 2007)
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Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great concern. I rise with great concern about H.R. 4, which actually removes the negotiating process from the private sector and places it in the public sector. I rise with concern because H.R. 4 will not reduce prices. It will reduce choice. I also rise with concern because our current premiums are actually 42 percent lower than expected.
Mr. Speaker, the private sector is doing well in this, and I don't think we should tamper with that. Should one have to forfeit their personal choices to the lowest bidder?
As a representative of the great State of Nebraska, I rise in concern over H.R. 4. There are 208,040 Medicare prescription drug beneficiaries in the third district which I represent. Everyone wants to make sure that seniors get the prescription drugs they need at the lowest possible price. But, H.R. 4 will not reduce their prices, it will reduce their choices. The government should not be choosing one drug over others.
According to estimates by actuaries in the Congressional Budget Office and the Department of Health and Human Services, H.R. 4 would not provide substantial savings to the government or Medicare beneficiaries. The reality is that with market based principals governing Medicare Part D, premiums are actually 42 percent lower than expected levels.
I disagree with H.R. 4 in a fundamental philosophical way. H.R. 4 would have the government making decisions for consumers. The government would end up picking one drug over others.
I believe that doctors and patients should consult with each other on what medications will best address patients' needs.
I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 4. Constituents of Nebraska's Third District and throughout the United States deserve to have their doctor's choices of prescription medication protected. Should one have to forfeit their personal choices to the lowest bidder?
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