Mike Honda: “the elderly and disabled have waited long enough for a prescription drug benefit in Medicare and for relief from the…”

“the elderly and disabled have waited long enough for a prescription drug benefit in Medicare and for relief from the high cost of prescription drug prices. While the Republicans have been busy voting on permanent tax cuts, seniors throughout the country have been waiting for Congress to take action on prescription drugs. All seniors need relief from prescription drug prices, and they need it now. However, the Republican prescription drug bill completely fails the test of a real Medicare drug benefit. The Republican bill has no guaranteed minimum benefit, no guaranteed, affordable monthly premium, and no guarantee of fair drug prices. To add insult to injury, their bill leaves a huge coverage gap. Seniors who need more than $2,000 worth of drugs must pay one hundred percent out-of-pocket, and keeping paying premiums, until they reach the $3,500 out-of-pocket cap. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats have an alternative we hope to offer. Under the Democratic plan, seniors and individuals with disabilities will be able to keep making the choices that matter to them.”