Tester Criticizes Burns' Vote

HELENA -- Democratic Senate candidate Jon Tester on Thursday criticized Republican Sen. Conrad Burns for voting against an amendment this week that would have allowed the federal government to negotiate prices for prescription drugs under Medicare.

The amendment passed on a 54-44 vote late Wednesday.

"Senator Burns should stand up to the big pharmaceutical companies and let Medicare negotiate drug prices to make them more affordable for our senior citizens," Tester said. "We need a program that works for seniors, not against them."

In response, Burns campaign spokesman Jason Klindt said, "Private companies have the most incentive to negotiate for the lowest drug prices, not Washington bureaucrats. That's the difference between the parties. We believe in the power of markets and individuals; they believe creating more bureaucracy is the answer to every problem."
Klindt noted that Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana also voted against the amendment by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

Tester also urged Burns and the Bush administration to extend the enrollment period for seniors to sign up for the new Medicare prescription drug program, which closes May 15.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/03/18/news/state/52-burns-criticizes.txt