Nancy L. Johnson: “this is a red letter day for seniors. It is just a red letter day. For the first time in history, out of this House is…”

“this is a red letter day for seniors. It is just a red letter day. For the first time in history, out of this House is going to go legislation to provide prescription drug coverage for seniors across America, every village, every city. I am proud of that. This is not about insurance companies, and here is the proof. In the Democrats' bill, they are going to use, and it says, ``or insurers.'' They are going to use insurers; we are going to use insurers. They are going to use pharmaceutical benefits managers; we are going to use pharmaceutical benefits managers. They are going to use pharmacy chains; we are going to use pharmacies. The difference is, they are going to use one. They are going to use one plan. Seniors will have no choice, one formulary. Seniors will have no choice. In that one formulary, they may have only one drug in each category. In our bill, they must have multiple drugs. In our bill, we guarantee that we will cover off-label uses. Sixty percent of cancer victims depend on off-label uses of drugs for their cure. Mr. Speaker, our plan offers them not only prescription coverage, but choice and hope. Mr. Speaker, today is a great day for our nation's seniors because today we are considering historic legislation that will expand Medicare to cover the rising cost of prescription drugs.”