Deborah Koff Ross: “I was pleased to read in Wednesday's New York Times that my Republican colleagues are working on a prescription drug…”

“I was pleased to read in Wednesday's New York Times that my Republican colleagues are working on a prescription drug benefit that will encourage the use of generic drugs. In January, the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson) and I introduced a bipartisan bill in the House that would create a voluntary, but guaranteed, Medicare prescription drug benefit for all seniors. We call it Medicare Part D. Under our plan, seniors would pay an affordable monthly premium, an annual $250 deductible, and a 20 percent co-pay on the cost of their medicine. This 20 percent co-pay will truly promote the use of lower-cost generic drugs and provide real savings for our seniors. Our bill gives seniors the freedom to choose their pharmacy and their medicines. Madam Speaker, the Emerson-Ross bill is a comprehensive, common-sense plan. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bipartisan legislation that will truly modernize Medicare to include medicine for all seniors.”