Rick Allen: “I would distinguish between what they say and what they believe. Because if we look at all of the pharmaceutical…”

“I would distinguish between what they say and what they believe. Because if we look at all of the pharmaceutical industry drug discount card plans, they are out there advertising their discounts at being between 25 and 40 percent. That is what we have been talking about with my legislation and with other bills, getting to a 25 to 40 percent discount for all seniors. The pharmaceutical industry is out there saying, we have discount cards that will do that; we have discount prices that will do that. Now, the question is, if they are willing to do that, what is the problem with the legislation that requires them to do that? Well, the answer is, we do not want to be hemmed in. We do not want to be required. We do not want the government to be able to tell us what to charge. In fact, a promise that is made on a temporary basis to say, we are going to promise you 25 to 40 percent does not mean they can actually deliver that or will deliver it. They will, in all likelihood, do what they have done with all of their other markets, which is charge what the market will bear; and if they give a little bit of a discount today, they may take it away tomorrow. Seniors need predictability and continuity and stability in their Medicare plan. They need to know what the benefits are; they need to know what the premiums are for whatever services they are getting.”