Michael Burgess: “I rise tonight to support H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, this debate…”

“I rise tonight to support H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, this debate is about taking care of America. This debate is about making a guarantee to senior citizens that they will have access to quality medical care which includes prescription drugs. This debate is about ensuring the future of Medicare. This debate is about delivering better outcomes at lower cost. H.R. 1 is a strong solution to these serious problems. Providing prescription drugs for America's seniors is the right thing to do. I cannot picture what medicine would look like today if pharmaceuticals were not an available treatment option. Physicians and other providers would have no option but to resort to seriously invasive treatments when confronted with acute medical conditions. There is no doubt that Americans have benefited from the development of new and innovative medicines. New drugs can improve and extend lives. New drugs exist that can dramatically reduce cholesterol, fight cancer, alleviate debilitating arthritis.”