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THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
~ Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy for Older Americans ~
January 28, 2009
NEWS RELEASE
The Time Has Come for a Medicare Run Drug Program
Leading Seniors Organization Applauds New Part D Proposal in Congress
New legislation introduced this week in Congress may finally end years of Congressional efforts to privatize Medicare that for too long have put industry profits ahead of seniors' needs. The Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (HR 684) , sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin and Representatives Marion Berry and Jan Schakowsky, creates a prescription drug program managed by Medicare while also requiring the government to negotiate for lower drug prices.
"Part D has provided a greater benefit to the drug companies than the millions of seniors who need help with the costs of their prescription drugs. Since the passage of the MMA in 2003, drug company profits have risen while at the same time seniors have been forced to pay escalating costs for many of the most popular medicines. It's time for Congress to reverse this mistake and give seniors what they really want; a government operated Part D plan that harnesses the buying power of millions of seniors to obtain the best pricing for medicines they truly need but often cannot afford to buy." Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO
Sponsors of the bill say Medicare could save as much as $20 billion a year for the next 10 years if just half of the current beneficiaries switch to the government-run plan. Numerous studies have also shown federally negotiated drug prices, such as seen in the Veteran's Affairs program, are significantly lower than those currently paid by Medicare.
A copy of the National Committee's endorsement letter of this legislation is on our website at www.ncpssm.org .
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org
The National Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.