Sonny Bono: “I rise today to support comprehensive health care improvements for our country. The Medicare Modernization and…”

“I rise today to support comprehensive health care improvements for our country. The Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002 offers a real and immediate benefit to our seniors, while also offering substantive improvements to a Medicare system that will collapse in on itself without out reforms. Currently the seniors in my district, which represent over one in five of all individuals in California's 44th District, are without prescription drug coverage that is essential to their quality of health. With this legislation, these individuals will receive an affordable option that will become a permanent facet of Medicare for generations to come. I have had the honor of serving on the Speaker's Prescription Drug Action team, and we have worked hard to address both prescription drug coverage and improvements to the Medicare system. These include helping our doctors continue to better serve Medicare beneficiaries and helping our hospitals to keep their doors open to those who can't afford to meet even basic health care needs. In particular, the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital monies included in this bill are a serious start to helping our public hospitals, including two in my district. There is still work to be done in properly funding these hospitals that offer such essential services, but this comprehensive legislation is taking a step in the right direction.”