Democrats tout efforts to cut seniors' drug costs
Reuters, 09.21.02, 8:10 AM ET
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(Embargoed for release at 11:06 a.m.)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats Saturday
accused pharmaceutical companies of standing in the way of
providing seniors and other Americans with affordable
prescription drugs and vowed to push for lower-cost medicines.
In the weekly Democratic radio address, Rep. Karen Thurman
of Florida said a prescription drug benefit plan passed by the
Republican-controlled House was "a sham bill
that forces seniors to rely on insurance companies that may or
may not offer coverage to seniors at some unknown price."
As the Nov. 5, congressional election approach, Democrats
are pushing to focus voters' attention on the economy and other
domestic issues even as the White House and Congress debate a
possible U.S. military attack against Iraq. Prescription drugs
are an issue in many congressional campaigns.
"In this difficult time, we all have a responsibility to
support our country in the fight against terror, but homeland
security is not just about protecting our nation, it also means
making sure all's secure at home," Thurman said.
She said Democrats back a prescription drug plan that would
lower costs for all seniors and be offered through the Medicare
program and not through a private insurer or health provider.
Thurman said Democrats were also pushing legislation that
would accelerate the approval and marketing of generic drugs, a
measure the pharmaceutical industry opposes.
"Americans are tired of the pharmaceutical companies
standing in the way of seniors and people with disabilities
having access to affordable medicines and a real Medicare
prescription drug benefit," she said.
Copyright 2002, Reuters News Service
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