Ed Pastor: “with prescription drug expenses climbing ever higher, 75% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have dependable…”

“with prescription drug expenses climbing ever higher, 75% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have dependable, comprehensive prescription drug coverage, and many American seniors are forced to decide between the purchase of medication and other necessities such as food or electricity. This situation is simply not acceptable in a nation as prosperous as ours. Congress must take action to restore the dignity of American seniors and ease the growing burden on American families. The time has come for an affordable, voluntary, and reliable Medicare prescription coverage plan. The need has never been greater and public support has never been stronger. I am deeply disappointed that the Republican leadership in Congress seems intent on squandering this opportunity for meaningful action by limiting floor consideration to a single Republican proposal which would do little to provide affordable drug coverage to seniors. While American seniors need the opportunity to purchase affordable drug coverage no matter where they live, the Republican proposal guarantees opportunities only to the insurance and drug industries it would subsidize, with no guarantee of affordable plans for all seniors. While American families want the peace of mind that comes from defined and dependable coverage, the Republicans have introduced a sham proposal that even the insurance companies it would rely on say will simply not work.”