Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce a small bill, but one with important consequences. My measure, the Access to Cancer Therapies Act, would provide coverage of all oral anticancer drugs under the Medicare program. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Rockefeller, Gordon Smith, and Feinstein in introducing this measure. As my colleagues know, there is no Medicare outpatient prescription drug benefit today. If there was, we would not need this legislation. There should be and there must be a Medicare prescription drug benefit this year. Seniors are reeling from the burden of their prescription drug expenses, and they can't defer their illnesses or their costs. This legislation also reminds us of how crucial prescription drugs are, not only now but even more so in the future. Eight years ago, Congress created a unique Medicare drug benefit for oral anti-cancer drugs, but only if the drug is equivalent to drugs provided 'incident' to a physician visit; for example, drugs that must be injected. At present, upwards of 95 percent of cancer drug therapy is covered by Medicare either in a physician office or in a reimbursed oral form. But in the near future as much as 25 percent of cancer drug therapy will be in the form of oral drugs that are not currently covered. In fact, this is already happening. Today, there are about 40 oral anti-cancer drugs, but less than 10 are reimbursed by Medicare.”