Press Release - On First Day of Voices of California Tour, Angelides, Discusses Plan to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs

Pess Release - On First Day of Voices of California Tour, Angelides, Discusses Plan to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs

Democratic Nominee Visits Bakersfield, Visalia

BAKERSFIELD, CA - On the first day of his Voices of California tour, California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides discussed his plans to lower the cost of prescription drugs at stops in Bakersfield and Visalia.

"Californians deserve a leader who will fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs," said Angelides. "But when Arnold Schwarzenegger has to choose between the health needs of Californians and the profits of HMOs and drug companies, the Governor always stands with the big guys. As Governor, I'll work for you, not for the big drug companies."

In his remarks, Angelides discussed several measures he would implement to make prescription drugs more affordable including:

* Helping consumers shop for cheaper prescription drugs.

While states around the country have set up websites to let consumers compare prices and order cheaper prescription drugs from safe international pharmacies in Canada and other nations, Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed measures to give Californians information on affordable ways to buy prescription drugs, including importing them. As Governor, Angelides will support legislation similar to a bill authored by Assemblyman Dario Frommer (AB 1957) that would allow consumers to compare prices on the web and save on prescription drugs by ordering medicine from safe pharmacies.

* Providing uninsured Californians with the same kinds of drug discounts offered to Californians with insurance.

Currently, Californians who don't have health insurance, or who are underinsured, pay the highest prices of all for prescription drugs. As Governor, Angelides will sign legislation similar to a bill authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (AB 2911) that would let uninsured Californians buy prescription drugs at discounts negotiated for them by the state.

* Fighting to fix the provisions in the Medicare prescription drug program that hurt the poorest and sickest of our seniors.

Legislation passed by the Republican Congress and signed into law by President Bush forced thousands of poor California seniors including 21,000 seniors in Kern County and 15,000 seniors in Tulare County out of Medi-Cal drug coverage into the new Medicare Part D program. Under the new program, California seniors who used to receive drugs without cost now must pay co-payments for the medicine they need. The taxpayers pay more too: The Bush law forbids the federal government from negotiating prices with the drug companies. As a result, according to the New York Times last week, drug companies are expected to enjoy a $2 billion a year profit windfall from poor seniors because of this switch. As Governor, Angelides will lead the effort to change the federal law so that the poorest and sickest people on Medicare aren't paying more for their drugs and so that taxpayers aren't stuck with the bill for the drug companies' windfall.

Angelides concluded the first day of his Voices of California tour in Fresno, where he visited the Democrats in Action Open House. Angelides will continue his Voices of California tour on Thursday with stops in Fresno, Merced, Atwater, Modesto and Stockton.

http://www.angelides.com/news/pressreleases/2006_0726_prescriptiondrugs.html