Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to support Senator Vitter's amendment regarding drug importation from Canada. Senator Vitter has been a tremendous partner and tireless advocate in supporting the comprehensive drug importation legislation Senator Stabenow and I introduced earlier this year--the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act--which now has 20 additional cosponsors. The time for enactment of comprehensive drug importation legislation is certainly long overdue--and the critical necessity for this legislation is actually greater . . . not less, particularly for those struggling in this economic environment. Over the past decade, among working age adults--only those with Medicare coverage saw any improvement in their ability to fill their prescriptions. All others saw a rise in their inability to obtain needed medications. Among the uninsured more than 1 in 3 individuals went without a required prescription--and in those with chronic disease that number doubles. At the same time, according to AARP, over the last 5 years, the retail prices for the most popular brand-name drugs increased 41.5 percent, while the consumer price index rose 13.3 percent. So despite manufacturer assistance programs--despite the increased use of generics--the high and escalating cost of brand-name drugs is directly impacting the health of millions. Americans have learned that other countries use the very same medications which we do, made in the very same plants, yet pay considerably less.…”