Louise Slaughter: “Mr. Speaker, I express my opposition to this sham bill that is particularly harmful to senior women. I have seen much in…”

“Mr. Speaker, I express my opposition to this sham bill that is particularly harmful to senior women. I have seen much in my lifetime, but nothing like the blatant disregard for America's seniors by House Republican Leadership. Prescription Drugs is a life and death issue affecting millions of seniors. This body should not be forced to debate a bill severely lacking in substance and without even the opportunity for a discussion on an alternative. Unfortunately, there is no room for discussion. There is no room for options. There is no chance for an open, constructive and spirited debate on what America's seniors need most--a Prescription Drug Benefit under Medicare. The bill before us today is nothing but a SHAM proposal, which does nothing to provide a real, guaranteed prescription drug benefit to our nation's seniors. I was a nurse before I came to Congress. Let me tell you what this bill does not do for America's seniors. This bill does not bring down the cost of prescription drugs. This bill does not guarantee a prescription drug benefit for seniors; and This bill does not guarantee coverage for any drug prescribed by their doctor. What the bill does do, however, is to provide benefits to insurance companies.…”