Nancy L. Johnson: “Honestly, some nights I just lie in anguish because I know that by my colleagues making this a partisan decision…”

“Honestly, some nights I just lie in anguish because I know that by my colleagues making this a partisan decision, seniors in America are not going to get prescription drugs for another year and a half. Now, all the plans will take a year or two to put in place and if we cannot pass the bill for another year and a half, there are people in my district who are really truly desperate for this coverage, and that says to them, ``Not for another 3 or 4 years.'' We could pass this this year. It is really almost a crime that our colleagues will not come together and help us do it. It needs to be bipartisan. Now, we have talked about price, but there is one really important issue that you referred to that needs to be addressed. Seniors need to be able to have the drug that is appropriate to them. Some antidepressants, for example, work by making you sleepy. Well, if you are sleepy and you fall and break a hip, that is terrible. There are other antidepressants that do not make you sleepy, and your doctor ought to have the right to choose the one that works for you.”