C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger: “this Friday, September 22, the average American senior will lose his or her prescription drug coverage that was promised…”

“this Friday, September 22, the average American senior will lose his or her prescription drug coverage that was promised by the majority. This is the same confusing and complicated drug plan the majority created through the private sector rather than through the Federal Government's Medicare program. Millions of seniors have already lost their coverage, but in the coming days, those numbers will climb as more seniors are expected to be denied their coverage when they hit the $2,250 mark. How can this be? How can the majority create a plan where seniors are still forced to pay monthly premiums but are denied coverage? How can a majority create a law that is supposed to help seniors and then not allow the government to negotiate to bring down drug prices? We must give the Federal Government the ability to negotiate on behalf of seniors so that we can bring down drug prices and eliminate the doughnut hole so no senior loses their drug coverage. It is time we take our country in a new direction. ____________________”