Seniors Once Again Victims of GOP's Cozy Relationship With Drug Companies

SENIORS ONCE AGAIN VICTIMS OF GOP'S COZY RELATIONSHIP WITH DRUG COMPANIES -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2006)

(Mr. CARDOZA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, American seniors are facing their first full week of the donut hole. This gap in prescription drug coverage for thousands of seniors is the direct result of the Republicans' dedication to increasing drug company profits.

As a clear giveaway to the big pharmaceutical companies, the Republican prescription drug benefit does not require that the Federal Government use its huge purchasing power to bargain for lower cost drugs. On three occasions since 2003, House Republicans had the opportunity to support Democratic amendments to reduce drug prices through bulk purchasing. Passage of our amendments would have provided Congress with the money to fill the gap in coverage and eliminate the donut hole.

But, no. This would have eaten into drug company profits and threatened the friendship that exists between the Republicans and the drug companies.

Mr. Speaker, we can still correct this injustice visited upon our seniors before we recess. Today, we should give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the power to bargain those prices down and permanently close the donut hole.

America needs a new direction.

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