Rodney Frelinghuysen: “I spent the last two Saturdays in the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey meeting with my constituents in town…”

“I spent the last two Saturdays in the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey meeting with my constituents in town meetings as I have done on so many other weekends in the past. Through winter, spring and now summer, one of the issues I get asked about is: when will Congress provide a prescription drug benefit for our older Americans? Our constituents should not have to choose between putting food on the table or paying for their next month's supply of medicine. Our older men and women want, and deserve, the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are covered by a safe, affordable, and easily accessible prescription drug benefit. The tremendous advances in medical science have produced amazing medical breakthroughs that help older Americans live longer, healthier, more active and independent lives. And so much of this is due to the continued development of new and better medicines that keep people healthy and out of hospitals. And while 65 percent of older men and women in America already have some form of prescription medication coverage, there are still too many who do not. Congress, and the President, need to provide a prescription benefit that allows choice, is affordable, available to all, and one that our older Americans can depend on to provide safe, effective therapies now and for the future. Today's action in the House is a good first step--and it's not the last step, either.”