Issue Position: Prescription Drugs

Issue Position

More than one third of all prescriptions written by doctors go to senior citizens. With prescription drug prices climbing at more than twice the rate of inflation, seniors- many of whom are on a fixed income- need and deserve relief. With many seniors choosing between paying for food and rent or paying for their medications, that relief can not come soon enough.

I am co-sponsoring a bill to enact a prescription drug benefit as part of Medicare. This drug plan would be simple, affordable, and reliable. It covers all Medicare recipients, regardless of income, and is completely voluntary. Unfortunately, the legislation passed by the House leadership falls far short. Instead of building on Medicare, this proposal relies on unwilling insurance companies to provide spotty coverage. Worst of all, coverage won't be available to all seniors. The fact that Medicare HMO's have cut back on benefits, raised premiums, or abandoned the State of Florida all together has made the issue of prescription drug coverage even more critical.

It is still my hope that, working with the Senate, we can pass a meaningful Medicare prescription benefit this year. Surely a generation that fought so hard for our freedom should be able to spend their retirement years free from worry and debt.

Source