McNulty Fights to Allow Gov't to Negotiate Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Seniors

McNULTY FIGHTS TO ALLOW GOV'T TO NEGOTIATE LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES FOR SENIORS

(Washington, D.C.): - Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) today signed as a cosponsor of "common-sense legislation" to give the Medicare program the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices to benefit seniors and the disabled in the Capital Region and throughout the nation.

In addition, McNulty signed a discharge petition, which if signed by a majority of House members, would force the House Republican leadership to bring HR 3767, the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2004, to the floor of the chamber for full debate and a fair up or down vote.

He then issued the following statement:

"For years, America's seniors have been telling Congress that access to prescription drugs can be the difference between enjoying their golden years and struggling through their retirement in pain and on the brink of financial ruin. When the GOP passed its prescription drug legislation last November, many seniors in the Capital Region believed that Congress had finally listened.

"The Republicans' legislation, which I did not support, has proven to be a sham - full of benefits for special interests and HMOs rather than seniors and the disabled. The Republican program has not only led to increased prices and confusion, but it has also undermined the public's confidence in Congress' ability to solve their problems.

"The legislation offered by Democrats, HR 3767, the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, would lower drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities by allowing the government to use the bargaining power of 40 million Medicare beneficiaries to negotiate lower drug prices just like every other private insurer in the country.

"Democrats want nothing more for the Medicare program than that which the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and many states already have. Numerous studies show that by negotiating prices directly, the VA obtains prices significantly lower than private plans. Yet the Republican law explicitly prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower prices on behalf of the elderly and it leaves many seniors and people with disabilities with high out-of-pocket costs and a huge gap in coverage.

"America's seniors and people with disabilities deserve better than the sham Republican 'reform' bill that allows HMOs and drug companies to choose what kind of benefits seniors get and how much they have to pay.

"We need a real Medicare prescription drug program - a strong plan that provides seniors with a guaranteed Medicare drug benefit, negotiates lower prices and reduces drug costs. That's just what the Democratic proposal, HR 3767, delivers. I am proud to have signed the discharge petition for the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, and will continue to fight for its passage."