The United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 4.6 million members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I would like to express our strong support for H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act of 2007, which is scheduled for a Floor vote later this week.

The National Committee is committed to finding ways to improve Medicare Part D. We commend Representatives Dingell, Emerson, Rangel and their cosponsors for introducing the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act. This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries, thereby benefiting Medicare beneficiaries and the American taxpayer.

Passage of H.R. 4 would be an important first step to improving Part D, and we urge your support of this legislation. In addition, we look forward to working with you on additional improvements in Part D, the most significant of which would be to allow the traditional Medicare program to offer its own government-administered plan with drug prices negotiated directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Medicare beneficiaries should be able to get their prescription drug benefit from the traditional Medicare program that they know and trust rather than being limited to a private drug plan as their only choice.

We look forward to continuing to work with you during the 110th Congress to improve the Medicare program for all seniors, and urge you to vote for H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act of 2007. Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever you feel the National Committee can be of assistance to you and your constituents.

Cordially,


Barbara B. Kennelly
President and CEO