Shelley Berkley: “when Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug bill, seniors expected real prescription drug coverage. Instead…”

“when Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug bill, seniors expected real prescription drug coverage. Instead, seniors are receiving a sham discount card that guarantees no savings and will not lower drug costs. Many seniors already use a drug discount card available at their pharmacies which provides savings up to 25 percent. Seniors are able to use as many cards as they need. The Medicare discount card will limit the options available to our seniors. Seniors will be allowed only one card, and drug prices can vary week to week. In fact, drug companies are already starting to increase drug prices so they will not lose any money. Democrats are committed to not only fighting for a prescription drug benefit for our seniors but for lower drug prices and giving seniors real choices. The administration's drug benefit will mask inflated prices and give huge subsidies to drug companies. I am disappointed, as a matter of fact I am heartsick, that many seniors who desperately need our help will not save one dime on their medication bills under this administration's program.”