Bob Filner: “I rise today to discuss an intolerable situation in America today, the lack of prescription drug insurance coverage in…”

“I rise today to discuss an intolerable situation in America today, the lack of prescription drug insurance coverage in our Medicare program. Seniors are simply not receiving the prescription drug coverage that they so desperately need. Prescription drugs did not play a significant role in health care when Medicare was created back in 1965, but today the advances in pharmaceuticals have made prescription drugs a fundamental part of the typical senior's health care. While seniors represent only 12 percent of the population, they account for more than one-third, more than one-third, Mr. Speaker, of the prescription drugs used in our country each year. The typical American who is 65 or older uses 18 prescription drugs a year, and 85 percent of the beneficiaries of Medicare fill at least one prescription per year for such conditions as osteoporosis, hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes, or depression. It is obvious, Mr. Speaker, that the need is there for prescription drug coverage. We must defend the seniors of America from the rising costs of medicine, which monthly worsens the situation for those without prescription drug coverage. The price for the 50 drugs most commonly used by seniors increased at nearly twice the rate of inflation last year. The prices for prescription drugs rose faster than any other category of health care, increasing by more than 15 percent, while total health care costs rose by less than 6 percent.”